News Release

WASHINGTON, D.C.— In an annual effort to raise awareness of the crime of teen dating violence nationwide, Senator Mike Crapo announced that February 2 – 6, 2009 is “National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week,” as declared by S. Res. 710, which passed the full Senate in December. This marks the fourth year that the United States Senate has unanimously passed Crapo’s resolution declaring the first full week in February as a time to encourage local, state and national organizations, governments and private industry to call attention to the tragedy and pervasiveness of teen dating violence in communities nationwide.

“Dating violence has been shown to be a precursor to adult domestic violence; it is a cruel reality for many American teens,” said Crapo. “We must teach our children what it means to have healthy relationships free from harassment, fear and physical and emotional abuse. This annual effort helps communities across the nation raise awareness of the destructive and sometimes fatal dating relationships of our teens, and promotes prevention of this violence. I’m honored to have spearheaded efforts to raise awareness here in the United States Senate, and I want to thank my Senate colleagues and our more than 50 national, state and local Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Initiative partners for their ongoing support and outreach. I would especially like to thank the Idaho organizations and teens who have become involved in this important effort statewide.”

In January, Senator Crapo once again led an annual letter from the Senate resolution co-sponsors that was sent to each governor and the Mayor of Washington, D.C., asking them to recognize the week in their state and jurisdiction. Since 2006, Crapo has also recognized teens across Idaho who have become involved in raising awareness about teen dating violence in their schools and communities.

The Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Initiative was started by teens through the American Bar Association in 2004. In 2006, the first national “week” was declared by Congress, and has been recognized every year since then. Since its inception, a number of governors have declared proclamations, and today, the Initiative includes over 50 national, state and local agencies and organizations as partners. More information can be found at: http://crapo.senate.gov/issues/teen_dating_violence.cfm