BILL NUMBER: ACR 29	CHAPTERED
	BILL TEXT

	RESOLUTION CHAPTER  30
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE  JUNE 8, 2011
	ADOPTED IN SENATE  JUNE 6, 2011
	ADOPTED IN ASSEMBLY  MARCH 25, 2011
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MARCH 15, 2011

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Members Bonilla and Ma

                        FEBRUARY 24, 2011

   Relative to Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   ACR 29, Bonilla. Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention
Month.
   This measure would designate the month of February 2011 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
prevent teen dating violence and promote healthy teen relationships
in their communities.



   WHEREAS, Teen dating violence is a serious and growing problem
throughout California; and
   WHEREAS, In a study of California high school pupils, 7 percent of
pupils in grade 11 indicated that they were victims of teenage
dating violence in the past 12 months; and
   WHEREAS, According to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
survey, nearly 10 percent of high school pupils have been hit,
slapped, or physically hurt on purpose by a boyfriend or girlfriend
in the 12 months prior to the survey; 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, Almost 20 percent of teenage girls exposed to physical
dating violence did not attend school due to feeling unsafe at
school, or on the way to or from school, on one or more occasions
during the last 30 days; and
   WHEREAS, Violent relationships in adolescence can have serious
ramifications for victims, putting them at higher risk for substance
abuse, eating disorders, risky sexual behavior, suicide, and adult
victimization; and
   WHEREAS, The severity of violence among intimate partners has been
shown to be greater in cases where a pattern of violence has been
established in adolescence; and
   WHEREAS, Primary prevention programs are a key part of promoting
healthy relationships and preventing teen dating violence, and many
successful school and community examples include education, community
outreach, and social marketing campaigns that are culturally
appropriate; and
   WHEREAS, Skilled assessment and intervention programs are also
necessary for youth who perpetrate teen dating violence and youth who
are victimized; 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 2011 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 encourages all Californians,
including youths, parents, schools, law enforcement, state and local
officials, and other interested groups, to observe Teen Dating
Violence Awareness and Prevention Month with appropriate programs and
activities that prevent teen dating violence and promote healthy
teen relationships in their communities; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of
this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.