[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 81 (Friday, June 17, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1254]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               TEEN DATING VIOLENCE EDUCATION ACT OF 2005

                                 ______
                                 

                    HON. JUANITA MILLENDER-McDONALD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 16, 2005

  Ms. MILLENDER-McDONALD. Mr. Speaker, while teenage dating violence 
often does not get the widespread attention that adult domestic 
violence receives, it is no less of an insidious epidemic. Currently, 
girls and women between the ages of 16 and 24 are the most vulnerable 
to domestic violence, experiencing the highest per capita rates of non-
fatal intimate partner violence. One-third of teens report experiencing 
some kind of abuse in their romantic relationships and approximately 
one in five adolescent girls report being physically or sexually hurt 
by a dating partner.
  Both CNN and ABC News have recently run reports on the tragic 
consequences of teen dating violence. In one such incident, an Austin, 
Texas 16-year-old star football player stabbed his 15-year-old 
girlfriend to death. The perpetrator of this crime had a history of 
teen dating violence that started when he was in the 8th grade. This 
horrifying incident may have been preventable had the victim of this 
crime or his previous girlfriends had full access to information about 
legal steps they could have taken to ensure they would not be in 
further danger.
  Unfortunately, this act of violence is not an isolated incidence. 
These situations play themselves out across this nation. Dating 
violence cuts across ethnic, racial and socio-economic lines.
  We can take affirmative steps to ensure that this type of tragedy is 
not repeated in other forms. Preventative action is necessary.
  Today, I introduce legislation that will empower young victims of 
dating violence with information about their legal rights. The 
``Teenage Dating Violence Education Act of 2005'' mandates that 
domestic violence educational programs geared towards elementary and 
high school students include information about the legal rights of 
teenage victims of dating violence.
  It is not enough to tell students that abusive relationships are 
wrong. We also need to specifically inform them on the various ways 
they can get out of those relationships. The legal system is one place 
they can turn. They deserve to know about these recourses. For victims 
of dating violence, knowledge really is power.
  Teenagers who engage in dating violence in this country need to know 
that there are legal ramifications for their actions. Teenage victims 
of dating violence need to know that mechanisms in the legal system 
exist to help them.
  Educating teenagers in this area is a matter of safety and a matter 
of common sense. We can do our part to make sure the cycle of violence 
is not perpetuated. We must do our part.
  I ask my colleagues today to join me in support of this vital piece 
of legislation.

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