[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1086 Engrossed in House (EH)]


                 In the House of Representatives, U.S.,

                        December 9 (legislative Day, December 8), 2006.
Whereas 1 in 3 female teens in a dating relationship have feared for their 
        physical safety;
Whereas 1 in 2 teens in serious relationships have compromised their beliefs to 
        please their partner;
Whereas nearly 1 in 5 teens who have been in a serious relationship said their 
        boyfriend or girlfriend would threaten to hurt themselves or their 
        partner if there was a break-up;
Whereas 1 in 5 teens in a serious relationship report they have been hit, 
        slapped, or pushed by a partner;
Whereas more than 1 in 4 teens have been in a relationship where their partner 
        verbally abuses them;
Whereas 13 percent of Hispanic teens reported that hitting a partner was 
        permissible;
Whereas 29 percent of girls who have been in a relationship said they have been 
        pressured to have sex or engage in sex they did not want;
Whereas nearly 50 percent of girls worry that their partner would break up with 
        them if they did not agree to engage in sex;
Whereas Native American women experience higher rates of interpersonal violence 
        than any other population group;
Whereas violent relationships in adolescence can have serious ramifications for 
        victims who are at higher risk for substance abuse, eating disorders, 
        risky sexual behavior, suicide, and adult revictimization;
Whereas the severity of violence among intimate partners has been shown to 
        increase if the pattern has been established in adolescence;
Whereas 81 percent of parents surveyed either believe dating violence is not an 
        issue or admit they do not know if it is an issue;
Whereas the week of February 5, 2007, has been recognized by the National 
        Network to End Domestic Violence, Break the Cycle, the American Bar 
        Association, and other organizations as an appropriate week for 
        activities furthering awareness of teen dating violence; and
Whereas recognizing a ``National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention 
        Week'' would benefit schools, communities, and families regardless of 
        socioeconomic status, race, or gender: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives should raise awareness of teen 
dating violence in the Nation by supporting the goals and ideals of ``National 
Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week''.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.