PLANNED PARENTHOOD. Consent education = teen dating violence prevention.

 

Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund of Massachusetts, Inc.

Dear SEARCHINGFORREASON.NET, February 1st marks the beginning of Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. This year, the month carries a special significance as women and people of all gender identities across the country are coming forward to share their experiences with sexual harassment, assault, and relationship violence. Here in Massachusetts, we know how prevalent these issues are – especially among young people: in 2015, 9 percent of Massachusetts high schoolers reported being physically hurt by someone they were dating.  Tell your state representative to prioritize consent education and pass the Healthy Youth Act. We must protect our teens.  President Trump's cold dismissal of the #MeToo movement makes it imperative that we take action here in Massachusetts. The Healthy Youth Act would require lessons about consent, healthy relationships, and how to recognize the signs of dating violence in public schools that choose to teach sex education.  Contact your state representative today and tell them we can't ignore teen dating violence in Massachusetts.  We have the power to make headway in preventing teen dating violence and sexual assault. On the first day of Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, let's take meaningful action to put the health and safety of our teens first.  Thank you for joining me in this fight. Sincerely, Jennifer Childs-Roshak, MD, MBA President Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund of Massachusetts @DrJenCR P.S. Educate your friends about the prevalence of teen dating violence in Massachusetts – share this Facebook post.