Teenagers in High School are facing relationship abuse at alarming rates. According to CDC, 1 in 12 high school students experience physical or sexual dating violence. Many teens don't realize that they are in abusive relationships as they have never been taught healthy boundaries, consent, or emotional safety. As a result, countless teens suffer in silence, feel isolated, ashamed and unsupported while juggling school and family life.

The purpose of the petition is to advocate for the implementation of trauma-informed domestic violence education in high schools. But if we act now and implement trauma-informed, age appropriate relationship education in school, we can teach students the skills they need to recognize red flags, seek help and build respectful relationships that empower them and not harm them. 

The long-term effects of relationship abuse are devastating. Students who experience dating violence/IPV are more likely to face depression, anxiety, poor academic performance, substance use and even suicidal ideation. With the right interventions, we have the power to stop the pattern before it starts and give teens the proper tools they require to build sustainable relationships. 

Now is the time to act! High school should be a safe space to grow and not a place where abuse goes unspoken. By educating teens early, we can prevent lifelong cycles of violence and help young people feel supported and safe. We petition that our school district and state lawmakers implement mandatory relationship education and resources for our students, so that no teen has to suffer in silence again!