N.J. may step in to combat dating violence

    In the face of a growing problem, New Jersey’s Assembly has backed a plan to help prevent dating violence among middle school and high school students. Kids may soon learn about the issue as part of their health-education classes, reports nj.com.

    The violence is widespread. Nearly 1.5 million high school students are physically abused by a dating partner every year, according to the National Teen Dating Violence Prevention Project. One in three adolescent girls in the U.S. experiences physical, emotional or verbal abuse from their dates, while 25 percent of high school girls have been victims of physical or sexual abuse or date rape.

    The bill calls on the state Department of Education to set up a policy to prevent and address dating violence at school.

    The measure now awaits approval by the full Senate.

    • WHYY thanks our sponsors — become a WHYY sponsor

    WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.

    Want a digest of WHYY’s programs, events & stories? Sign up for our weekly newsletter.

    Together we can reach 100% of WHYY’s fiscal year goal