Res. No. 413
Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass and the Governor to sign A.10206/S. 7131, to require dating violence education and dating violence policies in schools.
By Council Members Ignizio, Oddo, Rose, Barron, Brewer, Dromm, Fidler, Gonzalez, Lander, Palma, Van Bramer, Vann, Williams, Cabrera, Nelson, Mendez ,Halloran and Koo
Whereas, Dating violence means a pattern of behavior where one person uses threats of, or actually uses physical, sexual, verbal or emotional abuse to control his or her dating partner; and
Whereas, Women ages 16 to 24 experience the highest per capita rates of intimate violence; and
Whereas, The New York City High School Youth Risk Behavior Survey reported that in 2007, 11% of all high school students in New York City claimed they were hit, slapped or physically hurt by a boyfriend or girlfriend in the past year; and
Whereas, A report by the Institute for Women's Policy research recommends that schools incorporate discussions on physical and sexual violence in their programs; and
Whereas, Since young people tend to communicate with their friends regarding instances of sexual and dating violence, it is suggested that all teens be equipped with information about service providers and agencies and organizations that can help; and
Whereas, Research suggests that during the preteen and teen years, young people learn the skills they need to form positive relationships with others and that these years are an ideal time to promote healthy relationships and prevent patterns of dating violence that can last into adulthood; and
Whereas, Low self-esteem has been found to be a predictor for both intimate partner violence victimization and aggression; and
Whereas, If passed, S.7131 and its companion bill A.10206 would require each school district to establish a specific policy to address incidents of dating violence, to provide preventative dating violence training to all school staff at the middle and high school levels, and to provide dating violence awareness training for parents; and
Whereas, To assist school districts, S.7131 and A.10206 would require the state Department of Education to work in conjunction with the Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence to develop a model dating policy; and
Whereas, Assembly bill A.10206/Senate bill S.7131 would also require each school district to incorporate respect and self-esteem education in the annual curriculum for students in grades kindergarten through six and dating violence education into the annual curriculum framework for students in grades seven through twelve; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York State Legislature to pass and the Governor to sign A.10206/S. 7131, to require dating violence education and dating violence policies in schools.
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Date 07/26/10