BILL NUMBER: ACR 109	ENROLLED
	BILL TEXT

	PASSED THE SENATE  MARCH 15, 2006
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY  FEBRUARY 14, 2006

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Montanez

                        JANUARY 25, 2006

   Relative to teen dating violence.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   ACR 109, Montanez  Teen dating violence.
   This measure would recognize February 6-10 as Teen Dating Violence
Awareness and Prevention Week.





   WHEREAS, Teen dating violence is a serious and growing problem
throughout California; and
   WHEREAS, Dating violence is controlling, abusive, and aggressive
behavior in a relationship, which can occur in heterosexual or
homosexual relationships. It can include verbal, emotional, physical,
or sexual abuse, or a combination of any of those; and
   WHEREAS, One in three teenagers has experienced violence in a
dating relationship; and
   WHEREAS, Anyone can be a victim of dating violence. Both boys and
girls are victims, but boys and girls tend to abuse their partners in
different ways. Girls are more likely to yell, threaten to hurt
themselves, pinch, slap, scratch, or kick, while boys are more likely
to physically injure or force unwanted sexual activity. Some teenage
victims experience violence occasionally while others are abused
much more often; and
   WHEREAS, Young women, ages 16 to 24 years, inclusive, experience
the highest rates of dating violence; and
   WHEREAS, Teenage victims are highly vulnerable to being
revictimized; one study found that 80 percent of youths reporting
violent behavior had been victimized two or more times; and
   WHEREAS, Among female students between the ages of 15-20 years who
reported at least one violent act during a dating relationship, 24
percent reported experiencing extremely violent incidents such as
rape or the use of weapons against them; and
   WHEREAS, In a study of eighth and ninth graders, 25 percent
indicated that they had been victims of dating violence, including
eight percent who disclosed being sexually abused; and
   WHEREAS, Approximately one in five female public high school
students reported ever experiencing physical or sexual violence from
dating partners; and
   WHEREAS, Teenagers are less likely to report their victimization
than adults because of the shock, shame, and stigma attached to being
a victim of a crime. These obstacles represent a barrier to
vulnerable teenagers seeking help; and
   WHEREAS, Increased awareness of teenage dating violence is the
first step toward prevention of this type of abuse; and
   WHEREAS, Teenagers deserve to be in a relationship free of the
fear of violence. They have a right to have safe relationships; and
   WHEREAS, Governmental, private organizations, public officials as
well as private citizens must work together to raise the awareness of
the high incidence of teenage dating violence and to promote
prevention strategies; now, therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
thereof concurring, That the Legislature proclaims the week of
February 6-10 as Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week;
and be it be further
   Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of
this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.