Both Republicans and Democrats supported the efforts to protect Texas children and increase awareness of dating violence. The Christine Blubaugh Act, Senate Bill 1109, coasted through Congress passing with bipartisan support.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, this bipartisan bill designed to help prevent teen dating violence did not make it past Governor Abbott\u2019s desk.<\/p>\n
In his\u00a0official veto<\/a>, Governor Abbott stated that the bill \u201cfails to recognize the right of parents to opt their children out of the instruction.\u201d<\/p>\n The Christine Blubaugh Act,\u00a0Senate Bill 1109<\/a>, was titled, \u201cRelating to requiring public schools to provide instruction and materials and adopt policies relating to the prevention of child abuse, family violence, and dating violence.\u201d<\/p>\n A bipartisan group of Texas legislators sponsored the bill.<\/p>\n Photo CDC Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n As an Obstetrician-Gynecologist in Irving, Texas, I often see victims of unhealthy relationships and dating violence. For 22 years, I have worked with teenagers and the local school districts to help empower young women.<\/p>\n There is scientific data to support my anecdotal experience. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention tracks intimate partner and sexual violence in the\u00a0Youth Risk Behavior Survey<\/a>. Data shows:<\/p>\n Dating violence can take many forms. In my experience, some patients recognize when they are in an abusive situation, but many fail to see the red flags until it is too late.<\/p>\n Abuse may occur in person, but many teens find themselves in dangerous situations online and through social media platforms like Snapchat. For example, the 2019 YRBSS shows\u00a014%\u00a0<\/a>of teens have sent nude photos through sexting. These photos can be shared across the internet.<\/p>\n CDC\u00a0categorizes<\/a>\u00a0dating violence into four categories:<\/p>\n The Center for Disease Control and Prevention tracks data regarding adolescent health risks through school-based surveys. This data set,\u00a0the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey<\/a>, contains national analytics and local data.<\/p>\n The data shows 8.2% of US high school students experienced sexual dating violence.<\/p>\n US High School students who experienced sexual dating violence. CDC Youth Risk Surveillance Study<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Dating violence is trending downward in Texas, but 5.4% of teens report sexual dating violence.<\/p>\n US High School students who experienced sexual dating violence. CDC Youth Risk Surveillance Study<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n The Christine Blubaugh Act<\/a>\u00a0SB 1109 asks school districts to educate students about warning signs of dating violence. Students would have learned how common it is and what to do if they are victims of physical or sexual abuse.<\/p>\n Published\u00a0evidence<\/a>\u00a0from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention demonstrates that intervention and education starting in middle school can reduce the incidence of dating violence.<\/p>\n The CDC tested a project called\u00a0Dating Matters<\/a>\u00a0in school districts in Baltimore, Chicago, Oakland, and Ft. Lauderdale.<\/p>\n Students in grades 6\u20138 performed an annual survey to track the impact of the Dating Matters program.<\/p>\n The\u00a0data<\/a>\u00a0shows a middle school educational program can have a dramatic impact on students. The students reported lower levels of dating violence and victimization.<\/p>\n CDC Violence Prevention Dating Matters Program<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n The\u00a0CDC data\u00a0<\/a>also showed the junior high students participating in Dating Matters reported a lower level of other at-risk behaviors such as:<\/p>\n The Christine Blubaugh Act,\u00a0Senate Bill 1109<\/a>, did not mandate Texas to use the CDC Dating Matters program. Still, this scientific evidence demonstrates how early intervention and education can impact student outcomes.<\/p>\n Governor Abbott vetoed the bill because it lacked an option for parents to opt their children out of learning about healthy relationships, abuse, and violence.<\/p>\n But all young people deserve the chance to learn the red flags of unhealthy relationships. In my experience in my medical practice, unhealthy relationships, physical violence, and sexual violence transcend religious, socioeconomic, and racial disparities. We screen every patient for signs of abuse.<\/p>\n Increasing public awareness of the prevalence of dating violence can help protect young people from becoming future victims.<\/p>\n After her abusive boyfriend murdered Christine Blubaugh, South Grand Prairie High School named a tennis tournament in her honor. Texas could have honored her memory through The Christine Blubaugh Act.<\/p>\n This bipartisan public health education program could have saved lives and prevented future tragedies.<\/p>\n Thank you to <\/span><\/i>BeingWell<\/span><\/i><\/a> for publishing this article on Medium<\/a>.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Blog Author: Dr. <\/span>Jeff Livingston\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Main Blog Photo By: Ridofranz<\/a>\u00a0Istock\/ Getty Images<\/span><\/p>\n\n
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