Governor Chafee Proclaims February Rhode Island Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month

[Providence, RI] Today, Governor Lincoln Chafee presented a proclamation marking February as Rhode Island Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. February was made National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month by the U.S. Senate in 2010 after years of “awareness months” for domestic violence, sexual violence and stalking. Attention to teen dating violence has grown in recent years, especially after the murders of two young Rhode Island women, Katie Brown of Barrington and Lindsay Ann Burke of North Kingstown.

“I am proud to designate February as Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month in Rhode Island,” Governor Chafee said. “Teen dating violence has had a devastating effect on families and communities throughout our state, and we must work together to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our young people.”

Several local agencies presented awards to “Champions for Change” for their work on teen dating violence prevention. This year’s Champions are U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, R.I. Senator Beatrice Lanzi, Dawn Romans, a health teacher in the Warwick School District and the Chariho Theater Group from Chariho High School, with advisor and school social worker Tracy Jennerwein. The awards were presented by the Katie Brown Educational Program, the Lindsay Ann Burke Memorial Fund, Day One and the RI Coalition Against Domestic Violence and its six member agencies.

“We are proud to recognize these Champions for Change for their outstanding work on teen dating violence prevention,” said Deborah DeBare, executive director of the RI Coalition Against Domestic Violence. “Teen dating violence prevention is about addressing the violence before it starts by changing social norms, attitudes, beliefs and behaviors.”

The first Champions for Change award was presented to Senator Whitehouse for his work on setting national policy. Recently, he has introduced a bill, the SMART Prevention Act, which would include a coordinated community focus on teen dating violence prevention within the Department of Justice. Senator Whitehouse also supported the SAFE Teen bill to include teen dating violence in Department of Education programs.

“I have been fighting hard in the Senate to combat teen dating violence, and I am honored to receive this award,” said Whitehouse. “The dedication of our Rhode Island dating and domestic abuse advocates and service providers is an inspiration. I will continue to work with them to do what I can to prevent physical and emotional abuse among our young people and alleviate its harmful effects.”

Senator Lanzi received the award for her leadership on statewide policies including her stewardship of the Lindsay Ann Burke Act, which required all Rhode Island schools to educate teens about dating violence as well as develop dating violence prevention policies and provide school staff training.

Two other awards were presented for prevention and education work in Rhode Island’s schools. Dawn Romans, a health teacher in the Warwick School District, received the award for educating faculty, staff, students and parents about preventing teen dating violence and forming healthy relationships. The Chariho Theater Group and advisor Tracy Jennerwein were also awarded for their work to engage and educate students at Chariho High School in challenging norms that support violence in dating relationships, through the annual production of a play.

The Gubernatorial Proclamation for Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month can be found online on the Office of the Governor’s website:

http://www.governor.ri.gov/proclamations/
###