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"Teen dating violence victimizes students in their middle and high school years, a time during which they are developing attitudes and behaviors that will shape later relationships," said Regina B. Schofield, Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs. "If we work together now, we can make a real difference in the lives of teens, and improve their prospects for a healthier adulthood."

During National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week, February 5-9, 2007, Regina B. Schofield was interviewed on a Teen Kids News television broadcast scheduled to air on February 24, 2007. Teen Kids News is a television news program by teens and for teens and pre-teens across the country. Five thousand schools will receive the broadcast the week of February 26.

Designated by Congress, the second National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week called on the public, high schools, law enforcement agencies, State and local officials, and interested groups to address this problem in their communities.

About 9 percent of high school students report having experienced physical violence in a dating relationship. Research shows that these teens are more likely to use drugs and alcohol, are at greater risk of suicide, and may carry patterns of abuse into future relationships. Yet despite the seriousness of the problem, dating violence does not always receive the same public and media attention as crimes such as sexual assault or spousal abuse.

Information about teen dating violence is also available from the National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center, sponsored by the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in partnership with other Federal agencies including the Department of Justice.