PRINTER'S NO. 459
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
85
Session of
2019
INTRODUCED BY McCLINTON, KIRKLAND, HENNESSEY, THOMAS, T. DAVIS,
MILLARD, KORTZ, SONNEY, BURNS, RYAN, HILL-EVANS, BIZZARRO,
MURT, BERNSTINE, CALTAGIRONE, SCHLOSSBERG, ROTHMAN,
LONGIETTI, STURLA, HOHENSTEIN, OBERLANDER, ISAACSON, BROWN,
MACKENZIE, READSHAW, DiGIROLAMO, FREEMAN, DEASY, NEILSON,
BURGOS, MARKOSEK, SIMS, BULLOCK, SCHWEYER AND KINSEY,
FEBRUARY 12, 2019
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
FEBRUARY 12, 2019
A RESOLUTION
Designating the month of February 2019 as "Teen Dating Violence
Awareness and Prevention Month" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Teen dating violence is widespread, affecting
individuals, families and school communities; and
WHEREAS, Teen dating violence includes physical, emotional
and sexual assault as well as harassment via texting, e-mail or
instant messaging; and
WHEREAS, On average, violent behavior among young people
begins between 12 and 18 years of age; and
WHEREAS, A recent National Youth Risk Behavior Survey has
reported that, among students who dated or went out with someone
in the past year, 8% of high school students experienced
physical dating violence and nearly 7% of high school students
experienced sexual dating violence; and
WHEREAS, Female high school students are three times more
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likely than male students to be victims of sexual dating
violence; and
WHEREAS, Female college students and women between 16 and 24
years of age have the highest per capita rate of intimate
partner violence; and
WHEREAS, Teen dating violence and abuse can have long-term
effects on individuals and families; and
WHEREAS, As a public health issue, teen dating violence and
abuse affects government programs; and
WHEREAS, Individuals involved in violent relationships have
higher risks for substance abuse, eating disorders, risky sexual
behavior, further domestic violence and suicide; and
WHEREAS, Most young people never report instances of violence
or abuse, making it important that parents know the warning
signs; and
WHEREAS, Checking cell phones, e-mails or social networks
without permission, exhibiting extreme jealousy, insecurity or
possessiveness, being isolated from family and friends and
telling someone what they can and cannot do are common warning
signs; and
WHEREAS, National hotlines, cell phone apps and other
educational resources inform young men and women and parents
about teen dating violence and abuse; and
WHEREAS, RapidSOS Haven is an emergency communication app
that enables a discreet 911 alert and provides a GPS location
with the tap of a button; and
WHEREAS, Seek Then Speak is a mobile app that offers help and
information to survivors of sexual assault in 30 different
languages; and
WHEREAS, The Love is Not Abuse iPhone app is an educational
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resource for parents to learn about teen dating violence and
abuse; and
WHEREAS, Organizations that provide direct services include
the National Teen Dating Abuse 24-hour Helpline and Break the
Cycle, which support young people in building healthy
relationships and creating a culture without abuse; and
WHEREAS, To prevent the serious personal and social effects
of teen dating violence and abuse, residents of this
Commonwealth must raise awareness and end the silence
surrounding this significant public health issue; therefore be
it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the
month of February 2019 as "Teen Dating Violence Awareness and
Prevention Month" in Pennsylvania.
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