Senator Scott: Dating violence is at epidemic proportions, resulting in thousands of preventable deaths. I hope you can do your part by becoming a MADE member and help me protect our youth. Join the MADE coalition by signing the petition at www.loveisnotabuse.com/made.

The majority of this country sees Valentine’s Day as an occasion to demonstrate their devotion to the ones they love. This February I am going to dedicate my time and energy to helping raise awareness about the relationships that may need the most help: those of our children.
In conjunction with Teen Dating Violence and Awareness Week (February 2- 6), I am introducing legislation to ensure our state is leading efforts to prevent teen dating violence. If passed, this bill will call for public school districts to implement a policy against teen dating violence and incorporate information on the issue into health education curriculums in all middle and/or high schools.

The National Foundation for Women Legislators (NFWL) and Liz Claiborne Inc. have joined forces to support this critical education effort nationwide. According to a recent survey spearheaded by Liz Claiborne, nearly half of teen girls who have been in a relationship say they have been victims of verbal, physical, or sexual abuse by their boyfriends. Even more alarming is the fact that this abuse is starting in tweens (11-14 year olds).

Moms and Dads for Education (MADE) to Stop Teen Dating Abuse is a nationwide coalition of parents, teachers and concerned citizens who are advocating legislation in every state to ensure that middle and high schools across the country are teaching curricula that enable students to identify and prevent dating relationship violence and abuse.

Dating violence is at epidemic proportions, resulting in thousands of preventable deaths. I hope you can do your part by becoming a MADE member and help me protect our youth. Join the MADE coalition by signing the petition at www.loveisnotabuse.com/made.

Through annual educational and networking events, the National Foundation for Women Legislators supports women legislators from all levels of governance.

As a non-profit, non-partisan organization, NFWL does not take ideological positions on public policy issues, but rather serves as a forum for women legislators to be empowered through information and experience. www.womenlegislators.org.

Since 1991 Liz Claiborne Inc. has been working to end domestic violence. Through its Love Is Not Abuse program, the company provides information and tools that men, women, children, teens and corporate executives can use to learn more about the issue and find out how they can help end this epidemic. www.loveisnotabuse.com.

Senator Scott represents the 2nd Senate District, which includes areas of Detroit and the cities of Hamtramck, Harper Woods, Highland Park and all of the Grosse Pointes. She serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee and is the Michigan Senate Director for the National Foundation for Women Legislators. Visit her online at www.senate.mi.gov/scott.