Posted by Samantha Pohl, Legislative Assistant

This week, February 6th-10th, 2006, is National Teen Dating Violence Awareness Week. Established by Senator Mike Crapo and the American Bar Association, the initiative is meant to bring attention to the prevalence of teen dating violence. It is also an opportunity to provide effective tools to prevent and end teen dating violence through education and advocacy. According to a statement by Girls Inc. applauding Senator Crapo and the ABA for their working in bringing teen violence to the forefront this week, “statistics show that 1 in 5 female high school students report being physically and/or sexually abused by a dating partner and 1 in 3 teens report knowing a friend or peer who has been hit, punched, slapped, choked, or physically hurt by his/her partner. In addition to physical harm, we know that the abuse girls experience in violent relationships also is associated with other risky behaviors. Girls who experience abuse are 4 to 6 times more likely to get pregnant and 8 to 9 times more likely to have tried to commit suicide.” Other statistics from Senator Crapo’s website announcing the initiative include the fact that 58 percent of rape victims report having been raped between the ages of 12-24, yet 81 percent of parents surveyed either believe teen dating violence is not an issue or admit they don't know if it is an issue. These numbers are shocking. Thankfully though, earlier this year, Congress reauthorized the Violence Against Women Act, which has special provisions for prevention and education programs for teens. Hopefully this week will empower our constituency, particularly our youth, to recommit themselves to promoting healthy, safe relationships for teens free from violence, physical and verbal coercion, or any other type of abuse.