TITLE: Recognizing February 2025 as Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month.

SUMMARY: Recognizing February 2025 as Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Communities across the state and around the country are observing Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month in February 2025; and WHEREAS, The event's history dates back to 2006, when Congress established National Teen Dating Violence Prevention and Awareness Week, which took place the first full week of February; in 2010, the initiative was expanded to encompass the entire month, and it was officially recognized by the White House three years later; the observance serves to remind Americans of the danger and prevalence of violence in teen dating relationships; and WHEREAS, Teen dating violence includes psychological aggression, stalking, and physical and sexual abuse; surveys have found that approximately 1 in 12 high school students have experienced physical or 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, drop out of school, 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 and to assist parents and caregivers in their education and prevention efforts; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 89th Legislature, hereby recognize February 2025 as Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month and urge all Texans to learn more about this critical issue. Blanco President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on February 12, 2025.