News Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Idaho Senator Mike Crapo joined New York Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton and executives from Liz Claiborne, Inc., Education Development Center, Teen Research Unlimited and representatives from Break the Cycle today to announce fresh statistics on teen dating violence and highlight a collaborative ninth-grade curriculum created by these organizations to address teen dating violence.

“Teen dating violence exists today in every community,” said Crapo. “It is a precursor to adult domestic violence and has incredibly high social and economic costs for our society.” “We have an obligation as loving parents, community leaders and responsible and caring citizens to ensure that our children understand the importance of healthy interpersonal relationships. Our children must know that relationship violence is unacceptable.”

“It is critical that we teach young men and women that abuse of any kind is never acceptable. Education programs like the Liz Clairborne curriculum are essential to help raise attention to this problem,” said Senator Clinton.

Liz Claiborne, Incorporated, Education Development Center, Teen Research Unlimited and Break the Cycle developed a week-long curriculum for ninth grade health or English classes. “Love Is Not Abuse,” draws on poetry, essays, writing and literature for students to build open discussion, life skills and literacy. The curriculum is designed to be used as a resource in classrooms and encourages discussion between teens and with teachers and other adults about abusive behavior.