body
WHEREAS, statistics indicate that today one third of all teens in a dating relationship will confront some aspect of dating violence and that only about 10% of all the students in Allegheny County are currently receiving any formal information or guidance training on dating violence; and,
WHEREAS, teen dating violence runs across race, gender and socioeconomic lines with both males and females as victims. In Pittsburgh, attention has been drawn to the issue with the death of Monroeville teen, Demi Cuccia, who was killed by her teenage boyfriend, and the subsequent passage of HR 2026 which encourages Pennsylvania School Districts to take positive steps to prevent dating and domestic violence ; and,
WHEREAS, 3E NOW is an experienced, professional, non-profit organization dedicated to providing students and educators with the information and assistance they need to address problems of dating violence ; and,
WHEREAS, 3E NOW, under the able leadership of Chris McAneny, a former Education Specialist with the Women's Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh, offers student education, faculty education and student empowerment with resources and organizations available to communities and schools to help combat the spread of inequality among men and women which is the root cause of violence in relationships; and,
WHEREAS, education and awareness in our children's developmental years are the keys to ending abuse and violence, and 3E NOW encourages a proactive approach to eliminating dating violence and abuse, providing a safe environment for our children to develop and promoting healthy behaviors based on equality and mutual respect.
title
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby recognize the national effort to raise awareness about abuse in youth relationships through activities and programs through the month of February and commends 3E NOW for its proactive multi-disciplinary approach to help teens recognize the signs, causes and types of abuse, examining issues of power and control and to utilize protection strategies as well as empowering teachers and students through an advocacy network ; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare the month of February 2011, to be "TEEN DATING VIOLENCE AND PREVENTION AWARENESS MONTH" in the City of Pittsburgh and February 15, 2011, to be " 3E NOW DAY" in the City of Pittsburgh