STATE OF OKLAHOMA

1st Session of the 53rd Legislature (2011)

SENATE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION 6	By:	Johnson (Constance) of the Senate

			and

		McDaniel (Jeannie) of the House

AS INTRODUCED

A Concurrent Resolution acknowledging Teen Dating Violence Prevention and Awareness Month in Oklahoma; encouraging Oklahomans to end teen dating violence; and directing distribution.

WHEREAS, teen dating violence is a pattern of behavior involving the use or attempted use of physical, sexual, verbal, emotional, economic, technological, or other abusive behaviors by a person to harm, threaten, intimidate, harass, coerce, control, isolate, restrain, or monitor another person with whom the person has or has had a social relationship that involves a physical, sexual, or emotional component; and
WHEREAS, 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, young people victimized by a dating partner are more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol, engage in risky sexual and dieting behaviors, attempt suicide, and carry patterns of abuse into future relationships; and
WHEREAS, it is essential to raise community awareness and to provide training for teachers, counselors, and school staff so that they may recognize when youth are exhibiting signs of teen dating violence; and
WHEREAS, Teen Dating Violence Prevention and Awareness Month will benefit young people, their families, schools, and communities by providing an opportunity for all citizens to learn about preventing teen dating violence, show support for organizations that provide advocacy and assistance to victims, and ensure that everyone is guaranteed the right to a safe and healthy relationship free from abuse.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE 1ST SESSION OF THE 53RD OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN:
THAT February 2011 is hereby acknowledged as Teen Dating Violence Prevention and Awareness Month in Oklahoma.
THAT all Oklahomans are encouraged to work toward ending teen dating violence by empowering young people to develop healthier relationships, assisting victims in accessing the information and supportive services they need, creating better and more resources for young people in need, instituting effective intervention and prevention policies in schools, and engaging in discussions with family members and peers to promote the awareness and prevention of the quiet epidemic of teen dating violence.
THAT a copy of this resolution shall be distributed to the Oklahoma Cabinet Secretary for Education and the State Superintendent of Public Instruction.

53-1-1508	JM	2/24/2011 9:02:55 AM