Moore, Dingell, Fitzpatrick, and Kim Introduce Resolution Designating February 2026 as “National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month”

Today, Representatives Gwen Moore (D-WI), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Rep. Young Kim (R-CA), co-chairs of the Bipartisan Working Group to End Domestic Violence, introduced a resolution designating February 2026 as “National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month.”

“Our bipartisan resolution recognizes teen dating violence as a public health crisis and highlights the importance of providing education and culturally specific outreach to teens on healthy relationships. These efforts can support their well-being, help prevent intimate partner violence, and equip teens with skills that serve them through adulthood,” said Representative Gwen Moore.

“Approximately 1 in 12 high school students -1 in 5 girls and 1 in 10 boys- experience some sort of abuse from a dating partner. Yet, many parents and educators don’t talk to teenagers about dating violence,” said Representative Debbie Dingell (MI-06). “This resolution shines a light on the tragic short- and long-term impacts of teen dating violence. It is critical for teens to understand what healthy relationships look like, and to know where they can turn for help if they feel unsafe.”

“There is no higher priority than the safety and well-being of our children,” said Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick. “Teen dating violence is a serious and preventable threat affecting young people in every community across our nation. We cannot accept it, and we cannot ignore it. We must confront it directly by speaking openly, acting early, and ensuring every family and every school has the tools needed to stop abuse before it takes root. Our message is unmistakable: prevention is possible, accountability matters, and the safety of our children will always come first.”

“Teen dating violence is a preventable crisis affecting young people in every community,” said Rep. Young Kim. “Recognizing February as National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month shines a light on this issue and sends a clear message: every teen deserves to feel safe, respected, and protected. I’m proud to work alongside Congresswoman Gwen Moore to advance this bipartisan, commonsense legislation.”

“Each February, the National Network to End Domestic Violence is honored to recognize Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. Preventing violence requires action long before a crisis occurs, including equipping young people with the tools to identify warning signs, set boundaries, and seek support. We thank Representatives Moore, Dingell, and Fitzpatrick for introducing this resolution and for their continued leadership in ensuring that local domestic violence programs have the resources they need to raise awareness and prevent violence before it begins,” said Tonia Moultry-Pace, National Network to End Domestic Violence.

“Every day, we hear from young people at The Hotline and our youth helpline, the National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline, who are navigating the complexities of dating violence. Teen dating violence is a preventable, pervasive issue that demands our urgent attention. This resolution reaffirms that we all have a part to play in educating young people on healthy relationships and recognizing the signs of abusive relationships.” said Katie Ray-Jones, Chief Executive Officer of the National Domestic Violence Hotline.

“Teen relationships are where young people first learn what love looks like — and how they should be treated,” said Meredith Jacobs, CEO of Jewish Women International. “If control, coercion, or constant monitoring show up there, those behaviors can start to feel normal. That’s what makes teen dating violence so serious — early experiences shape what someone accepts, what they question, and whether they recognize abuse later in life. We’re grateful to Representatives Gwen Moore and Brian Fitzpatrick for introducing this resolution and keeping attention on relationship patterns that can have lifelong consequences,” said Rachel Graber, Jewish Women International.

“It is more important than ever that we draw attention to the seriousness of teen dating violence and implement strategies to prevent it,” said Esta Soler, President and Founder of Futures Without Violence. “Thank you Representatives Moore, Dingell and Fitzpatrick for your ongoing leadership in fighting this scourge. Now we must invest in what works and fully fund the programs at the CDC, Office of Family Violence Prevention and Services and Office on Violence Against Women that address this critical issue.”

Background
Teen dating violence—which includes physical violence, sexual violence, psychological aggression, and/or stalking—affects almost half of teens, and these survivors become twice as likely to consider suicide.

1 in 9 female high school students report experiencing sexual dating violence compared to 1 in 36 males, and this gender disparity persists into adulthood.[1] Risk factors like poverty, high alcohol outlet density, and weak community sanctions only amplify this threat.[2]

This resolution aims to support healthy relationship development and efforts to prevent intimate partner violence.

Read the full text of the resolution here.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.