Break the Cycle Releases 2010 State Law Report Cards: A National Survey of Teen Dating Violence Laws
Summary
“We are so pleased to see state leaders taking action to help protect young victims but there is still a long way to go if we are serious about ending teen dating violence.” This year, Break the Cycle updated the grading system with assistance from researchers at the University of Minnesota.· Ohio receives an F in the 2010 Report, but Governor Ted Strickland recently signed into law a bill mandating violence prevention education in schools and clarifying the state’s restraining order statutes, allowing minors and people in dating relationships to legally protect themselves.2010 State Law Report Cards Alabama F Kentucky F North Dakota D Alaska B Louisiana C Ohio F Arizona B Maine B Oklahoma A Arkansas C Maryland C Oregon D California A Massachusetts B Pennsylvania D Colorado C Michigan C Rhode Island A Connecticut C Minnesota B South Carolina F Delaware B Mississippi B South Dakota F District of Columbia A Missouri F Tennessee B Florida B Montana C Texas C Georgia F Nebraska C Utah F Hawaii C Nevada C Vermont B Idaho C New Hampshire A Virginia F Illinois A New Jersey B Washington A Indiana B New Mexico B West Virginia B Iowa C New York B Wisconsin D Kansas C North Carolina C Wyoming C For more information and to download a complete copy of the 2010 Teen Dating Violence State Report Cards, please visit www.breakthecycle.org.Each state’s report card also includes specific policy recommendations to help guide on-the-ground efforts to improve these laws.“Lawmakers must pass legislation to safeguard all victims of abuse – regardless of their age or sexual orientation,” said Marjorie Gilberg, Executive Director of Break the Cycle.“We are so pleased to see state leaders taking action to help protect young victims but there is still a long way to go if we are serious about ending teen dating violence.”This year, Break the Cycle updated the grading system with assistance from researchers at the University of Minnesota.