FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                         
CONTACT:    Susan Wheeler (202) 224-5150

December 5, 2007                                                      
    Clinton Press Office (202) 224-2243

Murkowski Press Office (202) 224-4513

Erica Masonhall (Lieberman) (202) 224-4041

Danielle Borrin (Biden) (202) 224-5042

 

**SENATORS ANNOUNCE TEEN DATING VIOLENCE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION
RESOLUTION**

***Senators Crapo, Clinton, Lieberman, Murkowski and Biden call on
colleagues to support Initiative in 2008***

WASHINGTON, D.C.---In an annual effort to raise awareness of the crime
of teen dating violence nationwide, Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho),
Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-New York), Joe Lieberman (I-Connecticut), Lisa
Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Joe Biden (D-Delaware) joined together to
introduce a Resolution declaring February 4 -- 8, 2008, "National Teen
Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week." This marks the third
year that the United States Senate has introduced a resolution declaring
the first full week in February as a time to encourage local, state and
national organizations, governments and private industry to call
attention to the tragedy and pervasiveness of teen dating violence in
our communities.

"Dating violence has been shown to be a precursor to adult domestic
violence; it is a cruel reality for many American teens," said Crapo.
"We must teach our children what it means to have healthy relationships
free from harassment, fear and physical and emotional abuse. This annual
effort helps communities across the nation raise awareness of the
destructive and sometimes fatal dating relationships of our teens, and
promotes prevention of this violence. I'm honored to have spearheaded
efforts to raise awareness here in the United States Senate, and I want
to thank my Senate colleagues and all of our Initiative Partners for
their ongoing support and outreach."

\"We have a responsibility to teach our youth that abuse - be it
emotional or physical - is never acceptable. I am proud to join with
Senator Crapo, our Senate colleagues and our initiative partners to
raise awareness and advocate for education and services needed to combat
dating violence, as well as sexual assault and domestic violence. By
working together and focusing attention on this troubling problem, we
can help stop the cycle,\" said Clinton.

\"Because teen dating violence often takes place out of sight, raising
awareness of this crime is a crucial step in promoting treatment and
prevention," said Lieberman. "It is my hope that with each year we
recognize National Teen Dating Violence Awareness Week, more potential
victims are spared, and more offenders are identified."

"Teen dating violence goes unrecognized far too often," said Murkowski.
"It is important that we raise awareness of the problem and teach
adolescents that mutual respect is a hallmark of any healthy
relationship. Youth must understand that harassment or abuse of any sort
is simply unacceptable."

"Over the past decade we've made tremendous progress on transforming
society's understanding that domestic violence is a crime; more women
are stepping forward to report abuse and get the services they need.
Today's young people need to hear those same messages and access
age-appropriate services in our schools, courtrooms and community
centers. It is critical that we guide our teenagers towards respectful
relationships, and learn to expect nothing less than violence-free
lives," said Biden, author of the landmark 1994 Violence Against Women
Act.

The crime of teen dating violence, including physical, emotional and
sexual assault, and harassment via texting, email or Instant Messaging
is a reality for many American teenagers. Like drug abuse, it's a
reality of which many parents are unaware.

-   One in three female teens in a dating relationship report having
    feared for their safety.

-   30% of teens in a dating relationship have been text-messaged 10,
    20, or 30 times an hour by a partner finding out where they are,
    what they are doing or who they are with.

-   One in five teens in a serious relationship report having been hit,
    slapped or pushed by a partner.

-   One in four girls in a relationship report having been pressured to
    go further sexually than they really wanted.

    The Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Initiative was
    started by teens through the American Bar Association in 2004. In
    2006, the first national "week" was declared by Congress and was
    declared in 2007 as well. Both years, a number of governors declared
    proclamations, and today, the Initiative includes over 30 national,
    state and local agencies and organizations as partners. More
    information can be found at:
    <http://crapo.senate.gov/issues/teen_dating_violence.cfm>

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