|
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
|
State Rep.
Scott Conklin |
|
Conklin, family of dating violence victim call on
state Senate to pass teen dating violence education bill
HARRISBURG, April 8 – Centre County state Rep. Scott Conklin held a news conference today to urge Senate action on his bill that would require public schools to provide education on teen-dating violence.
"This legislation is designed to educate middle school and high school students on the dangers of teen-dating violence," Conklin said. "Teens need to know that if someone is texting them constantly and it feels uncomfortable it's wrong; if they're being yelled at or pushed or hit, it's wrong."
Conklin was joined by the family of Demi Brae Cuccia, a Monroeville teen who lost her life as a result of dating violence.
"My daughter was experiencing teen-dating violence, we were all just unaware," said Dr. Gary Cuccia. "Getting an education on the dangers of teen-dating violence is the best defense we can offer our children. I stand with Representative Conklin to urge the state Senate to pass this bill so no other family has to go through the same agony mine has."
Under Conklin's legislation (H.B. 2026), school faculty and administrators would be taught about dating violence and how to recognize its warning signs. Schools would provide age-appropriate education in the classroom, including dating violence warning signs and the characteristics of healthy relationships.
Conklin added that statistics show teen girls are three times more likely to experience relationship violence than adult women, and one in five high school girls reports being physically or sexually hurt by a dating partner.
"The numbers are staggering when you see students as young as sixth grade have reported being hit by a boyfriend or girlfriend," Conklin said. "This doesn't factor in the number of cases that go unreported. We need to reach out so teens start talking and we have the tools in place so someone is there to listen."
Conklin's legislation would be named the "Demi Brae Cuccia Law" if enacted.
###