Take Action By Changing Laws

Ask your member of congress or local representative to support our cause.

Politicians aren’t the only people speaking out on Capitol Hill. So are the youth
of Washington, DC!

High school senior Simone took action against teen dating violence by testifying before the District of Columbia Council on an upcoming bill. The bill would broaden the laws that protect victims of domestic violence to include people 12 years old and older.

Speaking from her own experience of witnessing abusive relationships in her neighborhood and at school, Simone says, "We have a choice about having relationships, and we want choices about how to get help to get out of unhealthy ones."

In her testimony, Simone used her own words and the words of other local teens to remind the Council that teen dating violence is real and that young people need legal rights to get out of dangerous situations. "I think that if teens had more options open to them, like restraining orders without parental consent, it would be easier," Simone writes. "Right now we feel as though we can’t do anything about the situation because we’re not 18." Read Simone’s full testimony.

Another group of DC teens, students from César Chávez Public Charter High School, organized a briefing on Capitol Hill to educate U.S. Senators about the effects of domestic violence on youth. Sponsored by Senators Joseph Biden and Patrick Leahy, the Youth Activists talked about teen dating violence and how it should be addressed in schools and communities.