Res. No. 455

Resolution calling upon the New York City Department of Education to establish an awareness and prevention program in the public schools athletic league to combat intimate partner abuse.

By Council Members Cumbo, Gibson, Menchaca and Rosenthal

                     Whereas, According to the United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), dating violence is a type of intimate partner violence that occurs between two people in a close relationship and can include, but is not limited to, physical, emotional or sexual abuse or stalking; and

                     Whereas, While dating and sexual abuse can affect women and men regardless of their age, teens and young women are especially vulnerable; and

Whereas, The CDC reports that one in eleven adolescents say they have been the victim of physical dating violence; and

Whereas, According to the United States Department of Justice, girls and young women between the ages of 16 and 24 experience the highest rate of intimate partner violence; almost triple the national average; and

Whereas, According to the NYC High School Youth Risk Behavior Survey, in 2011, 10.4% of male and female high school students reported being hit, slapped, or physically hurt on purpose by a boyfriend or girlfriend within the past year; and

Whereas, Among adult victims of sexual violence, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner, 23.1% of women and 14.0% of men first experienced some form of partner violence between 11 and 17 years of age, according to The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey of 2011; and

Whereas, The New York City Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence (MOCDV) notes that in 2010, nearly 1,100 individuals between the ages of 17 and 21, and 54 youth under the age of 16 filed family offense petitions in New York State Family Courts as victims of violence in an “intimate relationship” (expanded in 2008 by legislation to include dating relationships in which the partners have no children and are not married); and

Whereas, Unhealthy relationships have long-term negative effects on emotional and physical well-being; and

Whereas, The CDC reports that youth who are victims are more likely to experience symptoms of depression and anxiety as well as engage in unhealthy behaviors such as using drugs and alcohol; and

Whereas, In addition, a March 2014 New York Daily News article states that according to recent findings from researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, teen boys who played football or basketball are twice as likely to admit abusing a girlfriend; and

Whereas, Whereas, The University of Pittsburgh researchers suggested although attitudes encouraged in some sports may foster aggression off the field, athletics can also be a place to instill healthy values about relationships and avoiding violence; and

Whereas, The Public Schools Athletic League (PSAL) provides sports-opportunities for over 37,000 New York City student-athletes and educates students in physical fitness, character development, and socialization skills through coaching and athletic clinics; and

Whereas, Whereas, the PSAL can use its role in the lives of the public school student-athletes it serves to educate youth about healthy relationships; and

Whereas, Healthy relationship education is an essential component to the full development of young adults; now, therefore, be it

                     Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York City Department of Education to establish an awareness and prevention program in the public schools athletic league to combat intimate partner abuse.

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10/15/2014