NEW NATIONAL MOVEMENT TO FIGHT TEEN DATING ABUSE LAUNCHED IN MARYLAND
TAMIKA HALL OF has been selected to lead statewide efforts to push for teen dating abuse education and policies in every school in her state
New York, NY, April 28, 2009 –As part of a nationwide search to identify outstanding community leaders to spearhead statewide efforts to end teen dating abuse, Tamika Hall, educator and newly crowned Mrs. Maryland Essence 2009, has been named MADE* Action Leader for the state of Maryland by Liz Claiborne Inc. In partnership with women legislators from across the country, MADE State Action Leaders will ask every mom and dad in their state, as well as educators and anyone concerned about this issue, to work with them to ensure that teen dating violence curricula are taught in every middle school and high school in their state.
“Our research in 2008 indicates that nearly half of teen girls who have been in a relationship say they have been victims of verbal, physical, or sexual abuse by their boyfriends. There is an urgent need for teen dating abuse education, and we’re thrilled that our MADE State Action Leaders will be leading efforts to stop the cycle of abuse in their states, “said Jane Randel, Vice President of Corporate Communications for Liz Claiborne Inc.
Launched in December 2008 by Liz Claiborne Inc., MADE is a national coalition that consists of parents, teachers and concerned citizens who are advocating for every high school and middle school in the country to teach a curriculum about preventing dating relationship violence and abuse. As part of this effort, Liz Claiborne Inc. chose advocates who were passionate about the issue and committed to protecting teens from abusive relationships to lead local efforts. What is clear to all is that parents and family members have a critical role to play in teen dating abuse prevention efforts and must become involved in ensuring that this subject is taught in schools.
The chosen MADE State Action Leaders will now ask all members of their communities to:
-Join the MADE national coalition by visiting www.loveisnotabuse.com/MADE
-Contact local schools to encourage them to teach teen dating abuse education curricula, such as the Love Is Not Abuse curriculum
Tamika joins the ranks of MADE Founding Members from across the country who include parents of teen dating violence victims, top experts and researchers in the field, government officials, media leaders, and celebrities, including Mariska Hargitay and Peter Hermann.
"We are proud to join MADE and lend our voices to this critical national movement to educate our youth about teen dating abuse," states Mariska Hargitay and Peter Hermann. "Through our healing work with survivors at the Joyful Heart Foundation, we see firsthand the effect that education can have in empowering individuals. By educating our teens about abusive relationships, we can provide them the insight and guidance early on to ensure that they never become victims."
*MADE (Moms and Dads for Education to Stop Teen Dating Abuse)
Liz Claiborne Inc.
Since 1991 Liz Claiborne Inc. has been working to end domestic violence. Through its Love Is Not Abuse program, the company provides information and tools that men, women, children, teens and corporate executives can use to learn more about the issue and find out how they can help end this epidemic. www.loveisnotabuse.com/made
