“Our schools need to be safe havens for all students, and it is critical that we provide school leaders with tools and resources to help them become stronger partners in reducing teen dating violence and other forms of gender-based violence… Like bullying, teen dating violence has far-reaching consequences for the health and life outcomes of victims. We need to do everything we can to make sure all students are safe.” - US Secretary of Education Arne Duncan

There were over 20 teen dating abuse fatalities in California between 2009-2012. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately one in four adolescents report verbal, emotional, physical or sexual dating abuse each year. Dating abuse affects both male and female students, and a substantial number of dating abuse incidents occur on California’s middle school and high school campuses. 

When schools don’t take a stand on dating abuse, it continues and escalates, threatening the safety of students and staff, distracting students from learning, and compromising the school climate. It’s time to ensure that all students can be safe at California schools!