Bill Text: IL HR0184 | 2021-2022 | 102nd General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Declares February of 2022 as Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month in the State of Illinois.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2021-05-21 - Resolution Adopted [HR0184 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2021-HR0184-Introduced.html

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HR0184 LRB102 17942 ECR 24642 r
HOUSE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Teen dating violence, also known as dating abuse,
is a serious and growing problem throughout Illinois; this
abuse can include physical violence, sexual violence,
psychological aggression, stalking, and other harmful
behaviors and can happen in person, online, and through other
technology; and
WHEREAS, Teen dating violence intervention and prevention
programs can help to ensure a positive school climate and safe
learning environment for all youth aged 12 to 24; and
WHEREAS, Education and outreach programs to community
members address warning signs of teen dating violence among
youth before behaviors escalate and protect the safety of
targeted youth; and
WHEREAS, Consistent with the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention's recommendations for a comprehensive primary
prevention program, multiple strategies are required, such as
teaching safe and healthy relationship skills, engaging
influential adults and peers, disrupting the developmental
pathways toward partner violence, creating protective
environments, strengthening economic supports for families,
and supporting survivors to increase safety and lessen harm;

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and
WHEREAS, Each year, nearly one in 11 female and
approximately one in 14 male high school students report
having experienced physical dating violence; 26 percent of
women and 15 percent of men who were victims of contact sexual
violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate
partner in their lifetime first experienced these or other
forms of violence by that partner before the age of 18; and
WHEREAS, According to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention's teen dating violence prevention model, Dating
Matters: Strategies to Promote Healthy Teen Relationships, one
in three adolescents report verbal, emotional, physical, or
sexual dating abuse each year; and
WHEREAS, According to the American Psychological
Association, one in three teens aged 14 to 20 have experienced
dating abuse, and about the same number say they have
committed dating abuse themselves; and
WHEREAS, More than 40 percent of Native American children
experience two or more acts of violence by the age of 18; and
WHEREAS, According to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, one in nine female teens and one in 36 male teens

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reported experiencing sexual dating violence in the last year;
and
WHEREAS, 43 percent of LGB teens reported experiencing
physical dating violence compared to 29 percent of
heterosexual youth; and
WHEREAS, 59 percent of LGB teens have reported emotional
abuse compared to 46 percent of heterosexual youth; and
WHEREAS, Fifty percent of transgender youth have reported
experiencing sexual violence at some point in their lives; and
WHEREAS, Teen dating violence has been linked to other
forms of violence and aggression against peers, including
sexual harassment, sexual violence, and physical violence; and
WHEREAS, Survivors of teen dating violence have increased
risk for truancy and dropping out of school, teen pregnancy,
suicide, depression, anxiety, having eating disorders, using
alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs, and engaging in antisocial
behaviors like lying, stealing, bullying, or violence; and
WHEREAS, Nearly one-half of students who experience dating
violence have reported that some of the abuse took place on
school grounds; and

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WHEREAS, Survivors 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, Youth who are survivors 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, During the pre-teen and teen years, it is
critical for youth to begin learning the skills needed to
create and maintain healthy relationships; and
WHEREAS, The establishment of Teen Dating Violence
Awareness and Prevention Month will benefit schools,
communities, families, and all youth; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
we declare February of 2022 as Teen Dating Violence Awareness
and Prevention Month and encourage communities to empower
teens to develop healthy and violence-free relationships
throughout their lives; and be it further

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RESOLVED, That we urge the people of Illinois, including
schools, community groups, families, and youth, 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 youth in learning
the skills to have safe and healthy relationships.