BILL NUMBER: ACR 101	ENROLLED
	BILL TEXT

	ADOPTED IN SENATE  AUGUST 13, 2012
	ADOPTED IN ASSEMBLY  FEBRUARY 21, 2012
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  FEBRUARY 21, 2012

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Members Lara and Ma
   (Coauthors: Assembly Members Alejo, Block, Bonilla, Butler,
Campos, Fletcher, Gordon, Hall, Huffman, Mitchell, Monning, Swanson,
Torres, Wieckowski, Williams, Achadjian, Allen, Ammiano, Atkins,
Beall, Bill Berryhill, Blumenfield, Bradford, Brownley, Buchanan,
Charles Calderon, Carter, Chesbro, Cook, Davis, Dickinson, Eng,
Feuer, Fong, Furutani, Beth Gaines, Galgiani, Gatto, Hagman, Harkey,
Hayashi, Roger Hernández, Hill, Huber, Hueso, Jeffries, Jones, Bonnie
Lowenthal, Mansoor, Mendoza, Miller, Nestande, Nielsen, Olsen, Pan,
Perea, John A. Pérez, V. Manuel Pérez, Portantino, Skinner, Smyth,
Solorio, Valadao, Wagner, and Yamada)

                        FEBRUARY 6, 2012

   Relative to Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   ACR 101, Lara. Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention
Month.
   This measure would designate the month of February 2012 as Teen
Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, and would encourage
all Californians to observe Teen Dating Violence Awareness and
Prevention Month with appropriate programs and activities that raise
awareness about teen dating violence and promote healthy teen
relationships in their communities.



   WHEREAS, Teen dating violence, also known as dating abuse, is a
serious and growing problem throughout California; and
   WHEREAS, In a study of California high school pupils, 7 percent of
11th graders indicated that they were victims of teen dating
violence in the past 12 months; and
   WHEREAS, According to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, nearly 10 percent of high school students have been hit,
slapped, or physically hurt on purpose by a boyfriend or girlfriend
in the past year; and
   WHEREAS, According to the United States Bureau of Justice
Statistics, females 16 to 24 years of age are more vulnerable to
intimate partner violence than any other age group, at a rate almost
triple the overall average; and
   WHEREAS, According to Liz Claiborne's 2009 Parent/Teen Dating
Violence Poll, 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; and
   WHEREAS, Teen dating violence has been linked to other forms of
violence and aggression against peers, including bullying, sexual
harassment, sexual violence, and physical violence; and
   WHEREAS, Victims of teen dating violence are at increased risk for
low academic performance, truancy, dropout, teen pregnancy, suicide,
having eating disorders, and engaging in other harmful behaviors
such as use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs; and
   WHEREAS, A substantial number of incidents of dating violence
occur in school buildings and on school grounds; and
   WHEREAS, Victims of teen dating violence are also at increased
risk for carrying a weapon to school, being threatened or injured
with a weapon at school, and damaging school property; and
   WHEREAS, Pupils who are victims in high school are at higher risk
for victimization during college, and adolescent perpetrators of
dating violence are more likely to abuse their intimate partners as
adults; and
   WHEREAS, Teen dating violence intervention and prevention programs
can address warning signs of dating violence among pupils before
behaviors escalate, protect the safety of targeted students, and help
to ensure a positive school climate and safe learning environment
for all pupils; and
   WHEREAS, The establishment of Teen Dating Violence Awareness and
Prevention Month will benefit schools, communities, families, and all
youth; now, therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
thereof concurring, That the Legislature proclaims the month of
February 2012 as Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month,
and supports communities to empower teens to develop healthy and
violence-free relationships throughout their lives; and be it further

   Resolved, That the Legislature calls upon the people of
California, including youth, families, schools, and community groups,
to observe Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month with
programs and activities that raise awareness about the dynamics of
teen dating violence and support young people in learning the skills
to have safe and healthy relationships; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of
this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.