U.S. Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Ashley Hinson (R-IA) on Feb. 9 introduced a bipartisan resolution to raise awareness about teen dating physical violence, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report has impacted nearly one in 11 female teens and about one in 15 male teens in the last year.
Teen dating violence also includes sexual violence, psychological aggression, and stalking, as well as abuse committed via technology, the CDC says.
The members are original cosponsors of House Resolution 924, which would designate February 2022 as Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. U.S. Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D-VA) is the sponsor of H.Res. 924.
“More and more teens are subject to emotional and physical abuse in relationships — we are trending in the wrong direction,” Rep. Hinson said. “As a mom to two young boys, I am passionate about ensuring they treat others with respect and have healthy relationships as they grow into adolescence.”
Rep. Hinson added that the bipartisan contingent supporting the resolution will “continue to work in a bipartisan way to increase awareness about this troubling trend and ensure parents and teens have the resources they need.”
The National Institute of Justice and Statistics reports that “technology-facilitated abuse is a growing social malady” contributing to increased psychological aggression among teens and includes, but is not limited to, cyber extortion, cyberstalking and doxing, according to the text of the resolution.
H.Res. 924 also states that, according to the Cyberbullying Research Center, more than one quarter (28.1 percent) of teens who had been in a romantic relationship at some point in the previous year said they had been the victim of at least one form of digital dating abuse.
“Teen dating violence is a growing public health crisis amongst youth in our country that can no longer be ignored,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick. “The long-term consequences for teens involved in physically and emotionally abusive relationships are grim.
“It is critical that we take steps to empower victims, promote safe, healthy relationships, and educate the public on teen dating violence prevention and intervention,” the congressman said.
H.Res. 924 has been referred for consideration to the U.S. House Judiciary Committee.