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Adopt a resolution recognizing April 2025 as “National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month” and recognize collaborative efforts working to raise awareness on the topic
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Published Notice Required? Yes ___ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ___ No _ X_
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The County Administrator’s Office recommends that the Board of Supervisors:
1. Adopt a resolution recognizing April 2025 as Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month; and
2. Recognize collaborative efforts to raise awareness on the topic of teen dating violence.
SUMMARY:
The importance of addressing teen dating abuse was highlighted by Congress in the 2005 reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act. In 2006, both the U.S. House and Senate declared the first full week of April as Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week. This was expanded in 2010 to declare the entire month of April 2025 as Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month.
If adopted, this resolution would designate April 2025 as Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. All Californians would be encouraged to participate in appropriate programs and activities that support healthy teen relationships and increase public awareness of teen dating violence in their communities.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no financial impact to adopt the resolution. The costs associated with preparation of the agenda item are nominal and absorbed by the department’s FY2024/25 Working budget.
DISCUSSION:
Relationships during the teen years can have a long-lasting impact on dating and relationships later in life. Therefore, it is important that teens recognize what is a healthy vs. unhealthy relationship is and what to carry on into future relationships. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in three adolescents reports verbal, emotional, physical, or sexual dating abuse each year. The CDC also states that 1 in 11 female teens and 1 in 15 male teens reported experiencing physical violence in the last year, and 1 in 9 female teens and 1 in 36 male teens reported experiencing sexual dating violence in the last year. According to the American Psychological Association, one in three teens ages 14 to 20 has experienced dating abuse, and about the same number say they have committed dating abuse themselves.
Teen dating violence can also affect non-dating relationships, creating issues in family relations, platonic friendships, and relationships between co-workers and community members. Teen dating violence has also been linked to other forms of violence and aggression against peers, including bullying, sexual harassment, sexual violence, and physical violence. Teen dating abuse is a serious problem throughout California, as survivors have increased risk for truancy, dropout, teen pregnancy, suicide, experiencing eating disorders, and engaging in other harmful behaviors such as use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. 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.
Teen dating violence intervention and prevention programs can help to ensure a positive school climate and safe learning environment for all youth ages 12 to 24, including education and outreach programs to community members that address warning signs of teen dating violence before behaviors escalate and protect the safety of at-risk young people. 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. 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. Consistent with the CDC’s 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.
Through this resolution, the Board proclaims the month of April 2025 as Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month and supports communities to empower teens to develop healthy and violence-free relationships throughout their lives. The Board calls upon the people of Solano County, including schools, community groups, families, and youth to observe Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month with programs and activities that raise awareness about the dynamics of teen dating violence and support young people in learning the skills to have safe and healthy relationships.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board of Supervisors could choose to:
1. Not adopt the resolution. This is not recommended as this resolution would recognize efforts to raise awareness on the issue of teen dating violence; or
2. Proclaim another month as Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. This is not recommended as it would not align with its nationally designated month of February.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Solano Youth Coalition worked collaboratively with the County Administrator’s Office and Friday Night Live to facilitate Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month Activities.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION