Title:
Proclamation - Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month
Summary
ACTION:
Adopt a joint proclamation designating February 2019 as Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month in Mecklenburg County and Charlotte, North Carolina
Staff Contact: Alex Pyun, Community Support Services, Violence Prevention Manager
Presentation: No
BACKGROUND/JUSTIFICATION:
Females between the ages 16-24 are more vulnerable to intimate partner violence, experiencing abuse at a rate almost triple the national average. High school students who experience violence in a dating relationship are more likely to use drugs and alcohol, are at greater risk of suicide, are much more likely to carry patterns of abuse into future relationships, and more likely to engage in unhealthy dieting.
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 dating violence. The establishment of Teen Dating Violence (TDV) Awareness and Prevention Month will benefit young people, their families, schools and communities regardless of socioeconomic status, gender, sexual orientation or ethnicity. Mecklenburg County, in concert with the City of Charlotte, proclaim February 2019 as TDV Prevention and Awareness Month. During this time all residents of North Carolina are urged to work toward ending the violence by empowering young people to develop healthier relationships, assisting victims in accessing information and supportive services, and instituting effective intervention and prevention policies in schools, among other activities to promote awareness.
PROCUREMENT BACKGROUND:
N/A
POLICY IMPACT:
N/A
FISCAL IMPACT:
N/A