[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 239 Introduced in House (IH)]







109th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 239

 Recognizing the need for judges who hear causes of action brought by 
 teenage victims of dating violence to be educated as to the specific 
                         needs of such victims.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           September 8, 2005

 Ms. Millender-McDonald submitted the following concurrent resolution; 
          which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
 Recognizing the need for judges who hear causes of action brought by 
 teenage victims of dating violence to be educated as to the specific 
                         needs of such victims.

Whereas girls and women between the ages of 16 and 24 are the most vulnerable to 
        domestic violence, experiencing the highest per capita rates of nonfatal 
        intimate partner violence;
Whereas one third of teenagers report experiencing some kind of abuse in their 
        dating relationships, including verbal and emotional abuse;
Whereas approximately 1 in 5 adolescent girls report being physically or 
        sexually hurt by a dating partner;
Whereas 40 percent of teenage girls ages 14 to 17 report knowing someone their 
        age who has been hit or beaten by a boyfriend;
Whereas 26 percent of girls in grades 9 to 12 have been the victim of physical 
        abuse, sexual abuse, or date rape;
Whereas victims of dating violence often turn to the criminal and civil justice 
        system to get the help they need to extricate themselves from violent 
        relationships as a last resort;
Whereas a positive or negative reception from the judge will effect whether or 
        not a victim will continue with their case; and
Whereas judges who are knowledgeable about the specific needs of dating violence 
        victims, especially teenage victims, and recognize the characteristics 
        of domestic violence that may affect judicial thinking are more likely 
        to make the best possible decisions regarding dating violence cases: 
        Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That Congress encourages judges who preside over dating violence cases 
to educate themselves or avail themselves of educational programs that 
will promote greater understanding of dating violence and the issues 
faced by teenage victims of dating violence and the extent to which 
they as members of the judiciary can help these victims extricate 
themselves from unsafe and unhealthy relationships.
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