Recognizing the month of February 2025 as Teen Dating Violence Awareness & Prevention Month.

WHEREAS, According to a report from the Office of Children and Families, Office of Domestic Violence Strategies, and the Department of Human Services, one in three teens experience dating abuse; and

WHEREAS, The 2021 Youth Risk Behavior Survey conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that female students report experiencing teen dating violence at a higher rate than male students. Furthermore, the CDC’s report indicates that individuals who experience teen dating violence in high school are at a greater risk of victimization in college; and

WHEREAS, Dating violence can manifest in various forms, including physical violence, sexual violence, psychological aggression, and stalking. In the digital age, teens may also experience abuse through electronic means, such as on their phones, tablets, and computers; and

WHEREAS, Young people who experience dating violence are more likely to suffer from both immediate and long-term consequences, including suicidal thoughts, substance abuse, depression, anxiety, and antisocial behaviors; and

WHEREAS, It is essential for teenagers to develop the skills necessary to foster and maintain healthy relationships, ensuring they do not carry harmful patterns of behavior into adulthood; and

WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Youth Commission encourages all teens and young adults to recognize the importance of healthy dating behaviors and to cultivate safe and respectful relationships; and

WHEREAS, Northwest Victim Services, based in the Germantown neighborhood of Philadelphia, is observing February 2025 as Teen Dating Violence Awareness & Prevention Month and has designated February 11, 2025, as Wear Orange Day to raise awareness; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby recognizes the month of February 2025 as Teen Dating Violence Awareness & Prevention Month.

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