Adolescence is a time of remarkable opportunity. It’s a time for growth, exploration, and learning. Our teenage years are when we learn how to create deeper connections with our peers, manage our emotions, make decisions, and forge our core beliefs. These connections and beliefs are the foundation of our adult lives.

Right now for 1 in 3 teens, their foundation is a violent relationship.

We can create pillars of nonviolence, respect, and equity as young people build their interests and goals. We can have workshops in schools where youth are taught that relationships should be fulfilling and bring joy, and provide counselors to guide students to prioritize their mental health as they transition into adulthood. These efforts require time and resources which comes from continuous and consistent state funding.

The Partnership and youth leaders from across California are proud to invite you to a rally to prevent and end teen dating violence, as well as support survivors. Come show your support as youth leaders share the importance of prevention funding in 2024 and beyond.

Rally to Prevent and End Teen Dating Violence

• Monday, February 12th  
• Pre-rally reception: 9:30 – 10:30 am in Eureka Room in the California State Capitol
  • 30 minutes of welcome + networking
  • 30 minutes of legislative meetings training
• Rally: 11:00 – 11:30 on the West Steps of the California State Capitol
• Wear orange! 
• Posterboard/cardboard signs welcome (no sticks) 
• Masks available for anyone who wants one

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You’re Invited!

In addition to working toward a common purpose of state budget funding—youth and adults united—our rally provides opportunities for everyone invested in teen dating violence prevention! Join us!

• Youth Preventionists: Get to know other youth working on this issue and strengthen your knowledge with what they share about the signs of abuse, statistics on its prevalence, and their activism.
   
• Adult Advocates and Preventionists: Show up to create a big crowd urging funding toward your work! This is one way to work in tandem with youth to achieve our common goals, and also network to share and receive resources. As Youth Leaders CJ and Terin shared,”Together, let’s build a world where all individuals can thrive in safe and healthy relationships.”
   
• Parents: Your support in this rally and in the fight for prevention is especially important, as Teens for Courage finds that currently, over 80% of parents either don’t believe or don’t know that teen dating violence is such a major issue. Learn how you can get involved to support the youth in your lives and stop violence in your community. As Youth Leader Isha from House of Ruth put it, “It’s important you educate your children on what healthy relationships look like, as many times students won’t be taught in school but rather at home and through media.” 
   
• Educators: We understand that educators want to ensure that none of their students are going through teen dating violence—and as mentioned above, schools often aren’t informed on how to address the issue and prevent it. Hear from youth about the signs, and receive resources from domestic violence organizations on addressing issues of abuse on your campus.  
   
• Allies: If you work with youth, it’s likely they’re navigating their first relationships. Learn how to best support them and get to know people in the movement to end domestic violence that can help! 

Why We’re Focused on Prevention Funding: 

Youth Leader Armaan from SAVE discusses the importance of prevention funding: “With increased pressure on our legislators and lawmakers, and with a consequent increase in funding, we achieve the necessary resources to launch presentations in schools surrounding topics such as healthy relationships and to increase counselors on school campuses to provide relationship guidance and ensure that students prioritize their mental health. ” 

Youth Leaders Jessica and Safa shared “If we all believe violence is preventable, then we are able to shift the mindset that domestic and teen dating violence are inevitable. We are able to create safer communities with nonviolence and prevention as its core beliefs.”

Artwork by Tiffany Dator

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Questions? Please contact Michelle Huey at michelleh@cpedv.org.