[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 34 (Wednesday, March 10, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H1232-H1234]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SUPPORTING NATIONAL TEEN DATING VIOLENCE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION MONTH

  Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 1081) supporting the goals and ideals of National 
Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1081

       Whereas dating, domestic, and sexual violence affect women 
     regardless of age, and teens and young women are especially 
     vulnerable;
       Whereas approximately 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;
       Whereas nationwide, 1 in 10 high school students (9.9 
     percent) has been hit, slapped, or physically hurt on purpose 
     by a boyfriend or girlfriend;
       Whereas more than 1 in 4 teenagers have been in a 
     relationship where a partner is verbally abusive;
       Whereas 20 percent of teen girls exposed to physical dating 
     violence did not attend school on 1 or more occasions during 
     a 30-day period because they felt unsafe either at school, or 
     on the way to or from school;
       Whereas violent relationships in adolescence can have 
     serious ramifications for victims, including higher risk for 
     substance abuse, eating disorders, risky sexual behavior, 
     suicide, and adult revictimization;
       Whereas teen girls who are physically and sexually abused 
     are up to 6 times more likely to become pregnant, and more 
     than 2 times as likely to report a sexually transmitted 
     disease, than teen girls who are not abused;
       Whereas nearly 3 in 4 children, ages 11 to 14 (hereinafter 
     referred to as ``tweens''), say that dating relationships 
     usually begin at age 14 or younger, and approximately 72 
     percent of 8th and 9th grade students report ``dating'';
       Whereas 1 in 5 tweens say their friends are victims of 
     dating violence and nearly \1/2\ of tweens who are in 
     relationships know friends who are verbally abused;
       Whereas more than 3 times as many tweens (20 percent) as 
     parents of tweens (6 percent) admit that parents know little 
     or nothing about the dating relationships of tweens;
       Whereas teen dating abuse most often takes place in the 
     home of one of the teens in the dating relationship;
       Whereas a majority of parents surveyed believe they have 
     had a conversation with their teen about what it means to be 
     in a healthy relationship, but the majority of teens surveyed 
     said that they have not had a conversation about dating abuse 
     with a parent in the past year;
       Whereas digital abuse and ``sexting'' are becoming new 
     frontiers for teen dating abuse;
       Whereas 1 in 4 teens in a relationship say they have been 
     called names, harassed, or put down by their dating partner 
     through cellular phones and texting;
       Whereas 3 in 10 young people have sent or received nude 
     pictures of other young people on their cellular phones or 
     online, and 61 percent who have ``sexted'' report being 
     pressured to do so at least once;
       Whereas targets of digital abuse are almost 3 times as 
     likely to contemplate suicide as those who have not 
     encountered such abuse (8 percent versus 3 percent), and 
     targets of digital abuse are nearly 3 times more likely to 
     have considered dropping out of school;
       Whereas the severity of violence among intimate partners 
     has been shown to be greater

[[Page H1233]]

     in cases where the pattern of violence has been established 
     in adolescence;
       Whereas primary prevention programs are a key part of 
     addressing teen dating violence, and many successful 
     community examples include education, community outreach, and 
     social marketing campaigns that account for the cultural 
     appropriateness of programs;
       Whereas in addition to prevention programs, skilled 
     assessment and intervention programs are necessary for youth 
     victims and abusers;
       Whereas the alarming trend of unhealthy and abusive youth 
     relationships exists in communities across the country, and 
     affects youth of every race, culture, sex, and socioeconomic 
     status; and
       Whereas the establishment of National Teen Dating Violence 
     Awareness and Prevention Month in February will benefit 
     schools, communities, families, and youth throughout the 
     Nation: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) supports the goals and ideals of National Teen Dating 
     Violence Awareness and Prevention Week to raise awareness of 
     teen dating violence in the United States;
       (2) supports and encourages communities to empower teens to 
     develop healthy relationships; and
       (3) encourages the people of the United States, State and 
     local officials, middle schools and high schools, law 
     enforcement agencies, and other interested groups to observe 
     National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week 
     with appropriate programs and activities that promote 
     awareness and prevention of the crime of teen dating 
     violence.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Tennessee (Mr. Cohen) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe) each will 
control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Tennessee.


                             General Leave

  Mr. COHEN. I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 
legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include 
extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Tennessee?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. COHEN. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 1081 designates the month of February 
2010 as National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. 
By designating a month to teen dating violence awareness, Congress 
hopes to bring more attention to the problem. We also hope to 
underscore the need for more effective prevention and deterrence 
efforts to help young people break the cycle of violence.
  Dating violence is a serious problem in this country, and many teens 
do not report it because they're afraid to tell family and friends. It 
often starts with teasing and name calling but escalates to more 
serious violence like physical and sexual assaults. Teen victims of 
dating violence are at greater risk of doing poorly in school and 
abusing drugs and alcohol. Fifty percent of young people reporting both 
dating violence and rape also reported increased rates of attempted 
suicide, compared to youth who had not been abused.
  Physically abused teens are three times more likely than teens who 
have not been abused to experience violence during college. Teen 
victims also carry the patterns of violence into future relationships. 
According to a recent report by the American Bar Association, dating 
violence is occurring with people as young as 12 years of age. A 
Department of Justice study found that girls and young women between 
the ages of 16 and 24 experienced the highest rate of intimate partner 
violence at a rate almost triple the national average. As a result of 
the growing number of deaths and injuries resulting from teen dating 
violence, we must recognize this type of behavior is not only a crime 
but also is a serious public health concern.
  Today's resolution should occur in families and communities around 
the country to educate their teenagers about this problem and help in 
preventing it. I would like to thank the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. 
Lewis) for his leadership on this issue and this important resolution. 
I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting House Resolution 1081.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may 
consume.
  I rise in support of H. Res. 1081 which supports the goals and ideals 
of National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. This 
nationwide effort seeks to increase public awareness and to educate 
citizens about the prevalence of dating violence among American 
teenagers. The Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Initiative 
was spearheaded by teenagers across our Nation who chose to take a 
stand and put a stop to teen dating violence. The initiative began in 
2004 and is now supported by numerous national, State and local 
organizations, and in 2005, this Congress noted the importance of 
addressing teen dating violence and highlighted the initiative in the 
reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act.
  The call to end dating violence was formally recognized by the House 
in 2006, and to bring more public awareness about teen dating violence, 
the House designated the first full week in February to be National 
Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week over the last 3 
years. However, the Justice Department worked with Congress to 
designate the entire month of February as National Teen Dating Violence 
Awareness and Prevention Month. This designation provides parity to the 
three other crimes--sexual assault, domestic violence and stalking--
each of which has a designated month for public education and awareness 
activities. Across the country, dozens of States, cities and towns join 
Congress to designate February as National Teen Dating Violence 
Awareness and Prevention Month. And in doing so, these jurisdictions 
demonstrated their collective commitment to ending teen dating violence 
and to support the numerous victims and survivors who live among us.
  Research tells us that one in three adolescent girls in the United 
States is a victim of physical, emotional or verbal abuse from a dating 
partner. These violent relationships can have serious consequences for 
victims, putting them at higher risk for substance abuse, eating 
disorders, risky sexual behavior, suicide and adult revictimization. In 
fact, teen girls who are physically and sexually abused are six times 
more likely to become pregnant and more than two times as likely to 
report a sexually transmitted disease as teen girls who are not abused. 
Perhaps the most alarming statistic is how prevalent this violence is 
in our country. Studies show that one in three teens has suffered from 
some sort of violence in a dating relationship. We also know that 
dating violence among children is not limited to physical, emotional or 
sexual assault. It also can take the form of harassment via computer or 
cell phone text messaging or by e-mail.
  National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month provides 
an opportunity for parents to engage their children about dating 
violence and abusive relationships. Surveys of teens indicate that 
parents often do not know their children are in a relationship that is 
abusive. To start the dialogue, parents or teens can call the National 
Teen Dating Abuse Helpline at 1-866-331-9474. The helpline promotes 
awareness of healthy dating relationships and offers tips on preventing 
abusive relationships. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Lewis), the sponsor of this resolution.
  Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, let me begin by thanking Chairman 
Cohen, Chairman Conyers, Chairman Scott, Ranking Member Poe and all of 
their staff for their support and work on this issue. I am proud to 
sponsor this resolution and hope that all of my colleagues will support 
this simple but important effort.
  This is an important effort. It's an important step. Youth dating 
violence is spreading all across our country. In my congressional 
district, the Center for Disease Control, the Fulton County district 
attorney, the Partnership Against Domestic Violence, colleges, high 
schools, and yes, even middle schools have been seeing an increase in 
abusive teen relationships. Fear, stalking, bullying, violence and 
abuse are unacceptable and always shocking. But it is tragic that 
domestic abuse is a very real part of our children's relationships. We 
see it in the headlines. We see it on the streets. We see it with

[[Page H1234]]

our own children. Mr. Speaker, we must break this chain. We must stop 
the cycle from being repeated over and over again.
  The CDC worked with Liz Claiborne, Inc. to develop Dating Matters: 
Understanding Teen Dating Violence Prevention. This is a free online 
training course for teachers, youth leaders and family members. I 
encourage all those watching this discussion and debate to research 
this issue, take the course and watch for the signs. I think the time 
has come, Mr. Speaker, for us to teach our young people the way of 
nonviolence, our children, our teenagers, our college-aged students.
  Last month, I know that many across the country recognized Teen 
Dating Violence Prevention Month. I hope they continue through Women's 
History Month and really the entire year. We used to think a week was 
enough time, but it is just not enough. Mr. Speaker, our communities 
must have the information and the training to stop teen dating 
violence. I urge all of my colleagues to support this commonsense 
resolution.
  Mr. POE of Texas. I have no further requests for time, Mr. Speaker, 
and I am prepared to close. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  This is an important piece of legislation to bring national awareness 
to this problem. Some of the violence that occurs among our teenagers 
is horrible, the things they are doing to each other and those 
especially in a relationship and dating. I think it's important that 
the country understand that teen violence among those who are dating is 
a tremendous problem. I have four kids, three of them are girls, and 
their safety has always been a concern as they were growing up. As all 
parents have that concern. So I totally support this resolution and 
urge its adoption.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE of 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 30-day 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, e-mail, and community networks. About 30 
percent of teenagers who have been in a dating relationship have been 
text-messaged 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 teen's 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 pre-teens 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.

                              {time}  1130

  Mr. POE of Texas. I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this 
important resolution, H. Res. 1081.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Cohen) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1081.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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