Public Awareness
P r o c l a m a t i o n
Whereas, domestic violence is a serious and prevalent crime within our society, and young people experience teen dating violence and its myriad forms of control and abuse, which, sadly, can continue into adulthood, with the potential to destroy individual lives and entire families; and
Whereas, teen dating violence involves physical, sexual, verbal, emotional, economic, or other abusive behavior including harassment via texting, email or instant messaging committed by a person intending to harm, threaten, intimidate, harass, control, isolate, or monitor another person with whom they have or have had a dating relationship, and is a reality for many teenagers, one of which many parents and guardians are unaware; and
Whereas, national studies and surveys indicate that among women who have ever expe¬rienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner, more than 1 in 5 women experienced some form of intimate partner violence for the first time between the ages of 11 and 17 years, and nearly half were between 18 and 24 years of age when they first experienced violence by an intimate partner; and
Whereas, in New York State, more than 2,500 people under the age of 21 have sought a civil order of protection as the result of a 2008 change in State law that enables teens to obtain this potentially life-saving measure; and
Whereas, New York State has focused on the teen dating violence issue through other highly effective measures and actions, including the development of a new teen-focused dating abuse and healthy relationships website and social media initiative, public awareness campaigns, and the development of printed and electronic materials addressing teens, friends and family; and
Whereas, both Houses of the U.S. Congress have declared February as “National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month,” and New York State joins in this observance by encouraging statewide youth, families, schools, law enforcement communities, government agencies, elected officials, civic organizations and other interested groups to show support for organizations and individuals that provide critical advocacy to victims and promote public awareness of teen dating violence;
Now, Therefore, I, Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New York, do hereby proclaim February 2012 as
TEEN DATING VIOLENCE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION MONTH
in the Empire State.
G i v e n under my hand and the Privy Seal of the State at
the Capitol in the City of Albany this first day of February in the year two thousand twelve.
Governor
Secretary to the Governor
