To: Board of Supervisors
From: Marla Stuart, Employment and Human Services Director
Report Title: Proclaim March 2026 as Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month.
?Recommendation of the County Administrator ? Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
ADOPT a resolution proclaiming March 2026 as Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month in Contra Costa County, as recommended by the Employment & Human Services Director.
FISCAL IMPACT:
No fiscal impact for this action.
BACKGROUND:
February is National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month (TDVAM). This is an issue that impacts everyone, not just teens. Their parents, teachers, friends, and communities are also impacted. Together, we can raise the nation's awareness about teen dating violence and promote safe and healthy relationships.
Nationwide, youth aged 12 to 19 experience the highest rates of rape and sexual assault. Studies showed that approximately 10% of adolescents report being the victim of physical violence at the hands of an intimate partner. Girls are particularly vulnerable to experiencing violence in their relationships and are more likely to suffer long-term behavioral and health consequences including suicide attempts, eating disorders and drug use.
Adolescents in abusive relationships often carry these unhealthy patterns of violence into future relationships. Children who are victimized or witness violence frequently bring this experience with them to the playground, classroom, later into teen relationships and ultimately, they can end up the victims and perpetrators of adult intimate partner violence.
The Employment and Human Services Department's Alliance to End Abuse Division, which carries out this Board of Supervisors' policy to end interpersonal violence in Contra Costa County supports programs that focus on teen dating violence prevention including the Youth Education Supportive Services program at Stand! For Families Free of Violence. This proclamation provides an opport...
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