SACRAMENTO, CA – Senator Susan Rubio (D-Baldwin Park) introduced a resolution today to raise awareness about the importance of educating teens about healthy relationships as part of National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month.

Senate Concurrent Resolution 65 recognizes that the Legislature continues to support teens who have experienced violence in relationships. It also intends to spread awareness about teen dating violence and how to prevent it by teaching youths what safe and healthy relationships look like. The Legislature acknowledges that this serious issue affects not only the teens but their family, friends, and communities.

“Teen dating violence is a serious but hidden problem, and the pandemic has made the situation even more difficult for victims,” said Sen. Rubio. “This resolution encourages all Californians to learn about Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month through programs and activities that show what healthy relationships look like and to spot the signs of unhealthy ones.”

“We are pleased to sponsor this resolution to declare February Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. Teen dating violence intervention and prevention programs can help to ensure a positive school climate and safe learning environment for all youth ages 12 to 24,” said California Partnership to End Domestic Violence. “According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Dating Matters: Strategies to Promote Healthy Teen Relationships, 1 in 3 adolescents report verbal, emotional, physical or sexual dating abuse each year. Survivors of teen dating violence have increased rick for truancy, drop out, teen pregnancy, suicide, having eating disorders, and engaging in other harmful behaviors such as use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. We thank Senator Rubio for authoring this important legislation.”

See video of floor presentation https://youtu.be/AbcG7pNIAMM

Senator Susan Rubio represents Senate District 22. For more information, visit https://sd22.senate.ca.gov/

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Media Contact: Edward Barrera, edward.barrera@sen.ca.gov