"Were it not for the hope, the heart would break." ~ Scottish Proverb
Teen Dating Violence Education Bill Gains Support
A Pittsburgh father who lost his daughter is pleading with state lawmakers to pass a bill that would educate teens about the dangers of dating violence. His daughter was killed by her ex-boyfriend in 2007. County commissioners showed their support for the bill in York Wednesday.
"My daughter was stabbed 16 times the day after her 16th birthday," said Gary Cuccia. He says his daughter Demi Brae loved God, her family, and cheer-leading, but her life was cut short.
"My daughter put herself in a situation where she was alone with a boy after she broke up with him," said Cuccia. "That's the most lethal time in these types of relationships, and had she some type of education, I don't believe she would have done that."
And that's what the Demi Brae Cuccia Bill is asking for, education in schools about the dangers of teen dating violence. York County commissioners passed a resolution supporting the bill Wednesday morning.
County Commission President Steve Chronister said, "We should educate ourselves, learn to spot the signs of an unhealthy relationship, slipping grades, changes in mood, activity, withdraw from friends, making light of a boyfriend or girlfriend's violent behavior."
"We know that education is the best way to prevent dating violence from happening and by educating people when they're young, we can really give them an opportunity for a lifetime of healthy relationships," said Marjorie Gilberg with "Break the Cycle".
In Harrisburg, members of the group Break the Cycle, along with Mary Kay representatives showed off their pink Cadillacs. It was a show of support before meeting with lawmakers about teen dating violence education. The bill has already passed in the House, but is now stalled in the Senate Education Committee.
Cuccia said, "This bill is sitting in Senator Jeffery Piccola's office, it's basically up to him to release this bill, and I believe if we just get a full Senate vote on this bill, it will pass, we can get this signed into law."
Gary Cuccia says the curriculum for teen dating violence awareness is a free download, so no charge for schools. He says it's something he says could save countless lives.
One in three teens will face this kind of abuse. We contacted Senator Jeff Piccola's office twice for comment, but did not hear back.
- 1 in 5 teens who have been in a serious relationship report being hit, slapped or pushed by a partner
- 1 in 3 girls who have been in a serious relationship say they’ve been concerned about being physically hurt by their partner
- 1 in 4 teens who have been in a serious relationship say that a boyfriend or girlfriend has tried to prevent them from spending time with friends or family; the same number have been pressured to only spend time with their partner
- 1 in 3 girls between the ages of 16 and 18 say sex is expected for people their age in a relationship; half of teen girls who have experienced sexual pressure report they are afraid the relationship would end if they did not give in.
- Nearly 1 in 4 girls who have been in a relationship (23%) reported going further sexually than they wanted to as a result of pressure.
"The darkest day, If you live till tomorrow will have past away." ~ William Cowper
