TITLE: Recognizing February 2021 as Teen Dating Violence Prevention Month.

SUMMARY: Recognizing February 2021 as Teen Dating Violence Prevention Month.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Communities across the state and around the country are observing February 2021 as Teen Dating Violence Prevention Month; and WHEREAS, The event's history dates back to 2006, when Congress established National Teen Dating Violence Prevention and Awareness Week as the first full week of February; in 2010, the initiative was expanded to last throughout the entire month, and it was officially recognized by President Barack Obama three years later; the event serves to remind Americans of the shocking prevalence of violence in teen relationships; and WHEREAS, Teen dating violence includes psychological aggression, stalking, and physical and sexual abuse; over the last year in the U.S., approximately 1 in 11 female and 1 in 15 male high school students have experienced physical dating violence, and about 1 in 9 female and 1 in 36 male teens have experienced sexual dating violence; and WHEREAS, Unhealthy and abusive relationships can have lasting consequences on developing youth; victims of teen dating violence are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety, engage in drug and alcohol abuse, exhibit antisocial behaviors, and think about suicide; in addition, violence in adolescent relationships leads to a higher risk of violence perpetration and victimization later in life; and WHEREAS, Vigilance against teen dating violence is crucial to the safety and well-being of Texas youth, and this observance provides an opportunity to support the survivors of teen dating violence while learning more about prevention; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 87th Legislature, hereby recognize Teen Dating Violence Prevention Month in February 2021 and urge Texans to raise awareness of this critical issue. Blanco President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on February 9, 2021.