P R O C L A M A T I O N
DECLARING FEBRUARY 2026 AS TEEN DATING VIOLENCE
AWARENESS AND PREVENTION MONTH
WHEREAS, teen dating violence, also known as dating abuse, is a serious and growing problem throughout California and each year, an estimated 1 in 12 high school students is physically hurt by a dating partner; and WHEREAS, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Dating Matters: Strategies to Promote Healthy Teen Relationships, 65% adolescents report verbal, emotional, physical, or sexual dating abuse each year; and WHEREAS, according to the American Psychological Association, 1 in 3 teens have experienced dating abuse and about the same number say they have committed dating abuse themselves; and WHEREAS, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 20% of female teens and 13% male teens reported experiencing adolescent dating violence in the last year; and WHEREAS, 43% of LGBTQ+ identifying teens reported experiencing physical dating violence, compared to 29% of heterosexual youth, and 50% of transgender youth reported experiencing sexual violence at some point in their lives; and WHEREAS, teen dating violence has been linked to other forms of violence and aggression against peers, including bullying, sexual harassment, sexual violence, and physical violence; and WHEREAS, survivors of teen dating violence have increased risk for truancy, dropout, teen pregnancy, suicide, having eating disorders, and engaging in other harmful behaviors such as use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs; and WHEREAS, teen dating violence intervention and prevention programs can help to ensure a positive school climate and safe learning environment for all youth ages 12 to 24; and WHEREAS, Project Sanctuary’s prevention programs works to address warning signs of teen dating violence among youth before behaviors escalate and protect the safety of targeted youth; and NOW, THEREFORE, I, Jason Godeke, Mayor of the City of Fort Bragg, on behalf of the entire City Council, join Project Sanctuary in the belief that all community members must be part of the solution to prevent adolescent violence by empowering youth to develop healthy and violence-free relationships throughout their lives, and I do hereby proclaim February as “Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month.” SIGNED this 9th day of February 2026
Jason Godeke, Mayor
ATTEST:
DIANA PAOLI, City Clerk
No. 04-2026