Perdue, Bev. Proclamation, 2011-02-28, Teen Dating Violence Prevention And Awareness Month

              BEVERLY EAVES PERDUE
GOVERNOR
TEEN DATING VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND AWARENESS MONTH
2011
BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
A PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, females between the ages 16-24 are more vulnerable to intimate partner violence than
any other age group at a rate almost triple the national average; and
WHEREAS, 1 in 3 adolescent girls in the United States is a victim of physical, emotional, or
verbal abuse from a dating partner; and
WHEREAS, high school students who experience physical violence in a dating relationship are
more likely to use drugs and alcohol, are at greater risk of suicide, and are much more likely to carry
patterns of abuse into future relationships; and
WHEREAS, young people victimized by a dating partner are more likely to engage in risky sexual
behavior and unhealthy dieting behaviors and the experience may disrupt normal development of self­esteem
and body image; and
WHEREAS, nearly half of teens who experience dating violence report that incidents of abuse
took place in a school building or on school grounds; and
WHEREAS, only 33% of teens who are in an abusive relationship ever tell anyone about the
abuse, and 81% of parents surveyed either believe teen dating violence is not an issue for their child or
admit they do not know if it is one; and
WHEREAS, by providing young people with education about healthy relationships and building
relationship skills, dating violence can be prevented;· and
WHEREAS, it is essential to raise awareness among communities and to provide training for
teachers, counselors, and school staff so that they may recognize when youth are exhibiting signs of
dating violence; and
WHEREAS, the establishment of Dating Violence Prevention and Awareness Month will benefit
young people, their families, schools, and communities regardless of socioeconomic status, gender, sexual
orientation, religion, or ethnicity;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BEVERLY EAVES PERDUE, Governor of the State ofNorth Carolina,
do hereby proclaim February 2011 , as "TEEN DATING VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND
AWARENESS MON · rth Carolina and urge all citizens to commend its observance.
Carolina at the C<tp
eleven, and ofthe Ind~
BEVERLY EAVES PERDUE
'"unto set my hand and affixed the Great Seal of the State of North
< y-eighth day of February in the year of our Lord two thousand and
nited States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth.