| To the Editor:
I am working with other state legislators to pass legislation
this year that would require public schools to educate
our middle-school and high school students about teen
dating violence. Our legislative proposals call for
integrating teen dating violence education into our
schools’ health curriculums.
In conjunction with Teen Dating Violence and Awareness
Week (February 2– 6), I am working to ensure our
state is leading efforts to better understand teen dating
violence. When better to raise awareness about this
danger facing our children than during February when
we celebrate Valentine’s Day?
The National Foundation for Women Legislators (NFWL)
and Liz Claiborne Inc. have joined forces to support
this critical education effort nationwide. According
to a recent survey spearheaded by Liz Claiborne, nearly
half of teen girls who have been in a relationship say
they have been victims of verbal, physical, or sexual
abuse by their boyfriends. Even more alarming is the
fact that this abuse is starting in 11–14 year
olds, a most vulnerable time.
Moms and Dads for Education (MADE) to Stop Teen Dating
Abuse, is a nationwide coalition of parents, teachers
and concerned citizens who are advocating legislation
in every state to ensure that middle and high schools
across the country are teaching curricula that enable
students to identify and prevent dating relationship
violence and abuse.
Dating violence is at epidemic proportions, resulting
in thousands of preventable deaths. If you are interested
in learning more, check out www.loveisnotabuse.com/made.
Please feel free to contact my legislative office if
you would like to know more about efforts to protect
teenagers from dating violence. I can be reached at
1-800-842-1421, or via e-mail to Toni.Boucher@cga.ct.gov.
Sincerely,
Toni Boucher
State Senator – 26th Senatorial District
5 Wicks End Lane
Wilton, CT 06897
203-762-3232 (Home)
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