Date: 2010-03-10
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 1081. which supports the goals and ideals of "National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month". Mr. Speaker. allow these alarming statistics to speak on behalf of the importance of this resolution: 1 in 3 adolescent girls in the United States is a victim of physical. emotional. or verbal abuse from a dating partner. a figure that far exceeds victimization rates for other types of violence affecting youth. 1 in 10 high school students. nationwide. (9.9 percent) has been hit. slapped. or physically hurt on purpose by a boyfriend or girlfriend. 1 in 4 teenagers have been in a relationship where a partner is verbally abusive. 20 percent of teen girls exposed to physical dating violence did not attend school on 1 or more occasions during a 30day period because they felt unsafe either at school. or on the way to or from school. Since 2006. the United States has recognized "National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week" during the first week of February. Because of the severity of the issue. the awareness campaign was extended to include the entire month of February in 2010. This initiative increases awareness and educates others about the very real dangers of teen dating violence. This epidemic of teen dating violence is perhaps one of the most complex and invasive problems facing teenagers today. Technology has added an additional ubiquitous and hidden feature of teen dating violence. with the use and the availability of cell phones. text and instant messaging. email. and community networks. About 30 percent of teenagers who have been in a dating relationship have been textmessaged between 10 and 30 times per hour by a partner seeking to find out where they are. what they are doing. and with whom they are with. Yet 67 percent of parents are unaware that their teen is being checked up on some 30 times per day on their teens cell phone. The warning signs of teen dating violence for young females are: Apologizes for his behavior and makes excuses for him. loses interest in activities that she used to enjoy. and stops seeing her friends and family members and becomes increasingly isolated. Mr. Speaker. I stand before you today with a zeal and vigor about the goals and ideals that the "National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month". because this issue. if not handled with properly. grows into domestic violence. the ugly older sister of teen dating violence. In Houston. 9 percent of Houston students surveyed in grades 9 to 12 reported being hit. slapped or physically hurt by their boyfriend or girlfriend in the past year. This is unacceptable! Teenagers foremost concern should be achieving academic excellence. not dealing with physical and mental abuse. from anyone! This Congress should be committed to tackling the roots of issues. such as teen violence and supporting this resolution will not only address with the root cause of domestic violence. but also. (1) support teen victims of abuse. (2) educate preteens and teenagers. both male and female. about the issue. and (3) give the support needed by organizations and groups to effectively distribute life saving information and awareness to those in need. So in conclusion. I support H. Res. 1081 and I encourage my colleagues to join me.