ACR 101 declares February as Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month

Sacramento, Calif. – Today members of the California State Assembly overwhelmingly supported passage of ACR 101, a bill authored by Assembly Member Ricardo Lara which designates February as "Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month".

"The pervasiveness of teen dating violence needs to be recognized. Too often the warning signs of teen dating violence are missed or minimized and, as a result, tragedies occur," said Lara. "Recent incidents of teen dating violence in my district have shaken my community to the core. ACR 101 is a call to action and it is my hope that communities across the state can work together to provide youth the tools they need to help keep them safe."

Approximately one in three 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, according to Liz Claiborne's Parent/Teen Dating Violence Poll. However, many young victims are not equipped with the tools to recognize the warning signs of teen dating violence. ACR 101, sponsored by the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence, encourages students, schools, families, and community groups across California to collaboratively address teen dating violence and to empower teenagers with the skills to have safe and healthy relationships.

ACR 101 now moves to the Senate to be heard.