WHEREAS, Prevention approaches understand that changes in society require data-based, comprehensive, long-term approaches and that integrated changes are required at each level of society; and

WHEREAS, The only way to be effective in reducing and eliminating a public health problem, such as domestic violence, is by creating changes across our systems, environments, and policies that, over time, will create healthy protective environments and communities; and

WHEREAS, Teen dating violence intervention and prevention programs can help to ensure a positive school climate and safe learning environment for all youth 12 to 24 years of age, inclusive; and

WHEREAS, Education and outreach programs to community members address warning signs of teen dating violence among youth before behaviors escalate and protect the safety of targeted youth; and

WHEREAS, Consistent with the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations for a comprehensive primary prevention program, multiple strategies are required, such as teaching safe and healthy relationship skills, engaging influential adults and peers, disrupting the developmental pathways toward partner violence, creating protective environments, strengthening economic supports for families, and supporting survivors to increase safety and lessen harm; and

WHEREAS, According to the CDC model, Dating Matters: Strategies to Promote Healthy Teen Relationships, one in three adolescents reports verbal, emotional, physical, or sexual dating abuse each year; and

WHEREAS, According to the American Psychological Association, one in three teens 14 to 20 years of age, inclusive, has experienced dating abuse, and about the same number say that they have committed dating abuse themselves; and

WHEREAS, According to the CDC, one in 11 female teens and one in 15 male teens reported experiencing physical violence in the last year; and

WHEREAS, According to the CDC, one in 9 female teens and one in 36 male teens reported experiencing sexual dating violence in the last year; and

WHEREAS, In 2021, the Youth Risk Behavior Survey found that 14 percent of American Indian or Alaska Native teens, 13 percent of Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander teens, 8 percent of Black teens, and 7 percent of Hispanic teens reported experiencing physical dating violence; and

WHEREAS, Forty-three percent of lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB) teens reported experiencing physical dating violence, compared to 29 percent of heterosexual youth; and

WHEREAS, Fifty-nine percent of LGB teens reported emotional abuse, compared to 46 percent of heterosexual youth; and

WHEREAS, Fifty percent of transgender youth reported experiencing sexual violence at some point in their lives; and

WHEREAS, Teen dating violence has been linked to other forms of violence and aggression against peers, including bullying, sexual harassment, sexual violence, and physical violence; and

WHEREAS, Teen dating violence, also known as dating abuse, is a serious and growing problem throughout California; and

WHEREAS, Survivors of teen dating violence have increased risk for truancy, dropout, teen pregnancy, suicide, having eating disorders, and engaging in other harmful behaviors, such as use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs; and

WHEREAS, Youth who are survivors in high school are at higher risk for victimization during college, and adolescent perpetrators of dating violence are more likely to abuse their intimate partners as adults; and

WHEREAS, By preventing domestic violence, we also address significant long-term health impacts of domestic violence. Women who are survivors of violence are 80 percent more likely to suffer a stroke, 70 percent more likely to have heart disease, and 60 percent more likely to become asthmatic; and

WHEREAS, The establishment of Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month will benefit schools, communities, families, and all youth; now, therefore, be it