D'Amico Encourages Parents to Take Advantage of Resources Aimed at Preventing Teen Dating Violence

With February marking Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, state Rep. John D’Amico, D-Chicago, is calling on parents and community leaders today to take the necessary steps and precautions to help prevent teen dating violence.

“As a father and husband, protecting our children’s safety from emotional or physical harm is one of my top priorities as a legislator,” D’Amico said. “Dating violence among our youth is a far too common problem, and it’s important that we – as community leaders – work together to raise awareness of the issue and stop it before it starts.”

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 1.5 million high schools students will be the victims of physical abuse from their dating partner this year. Victims of teen dating violence are often more likely to harm themselves, resort to substance abuse or fall back into violent relationships. D’Amico believes that raising awareness at both the local and state level can help inform teenagers and young adults of the resources they have to help get out of harmful relationships.

Loveisrespect, a project of Break the Cycle and the National Domestic Violence Hotline, gave Illinois an “A” on their 2010 report card, citing various laws that protect teens and young adults from violent relationships. For example, any teen can access health services and can apply for a protection order from their abuser without their guardian. Illinois also educates many high school-aged teens about dating violence in their health curriculum.

“As adults, we have a responsibility to teach teens to participate in healthy and respectful relationships,” D’Amico said. “For some, it’s difficult to come forward and admit the violence they are facing, but as long as we continue to education the youth and parents we can help break the cycle and end this senseless violence.”

For more information on resources available, please visit the CDC’s web site on preventing teen dating violence at http://www.cdc.gov/features/datingviolence/. For more information about this or any state-related issues, please contact D’Amico’s fulltime constituent service office at 773-736-0218 or johnd@ilga.gov.