HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

150th GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 12

REQUESTING THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COORDINATING COUNCIL TO EXAMINE THE EXPANSION OF ADVOCACY AND LEGAL RESOURCES FOR MINORS WHO ARE VICTIMS OF TEEN DATING AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS.

WHEREAS, public and charter schools in Delaware reported 185 incidents of sexual and dating violence offenses to law enforcement and the Department of Education during the 2017-2018 school year; and

WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that teens who experience dating violence are more likely to exhibit antisocial behaviors, engage in unhealthy behaviors such as tobacco, drug and alcohol use, experience depression and anxiety, and consider suicide; and

WHEREAS, the General Assembly has already enacted significant policies regarding education prevention, detection, and response to the occurrence of teen dating violence in schools, as more needs to be done to effectively promote a holistic solution to teen dating violence; and

WHEREAS, organizations that provide direct services to victims of dating violence advocate for teens to have access to the same legal protections from violence as adults; and

WHEREAS, a Delaware teen experiencing domestic or dating violence currently is unable to file for a Protection from Abuse Order without the knowledge and consent of a parent.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the 150th General Assembly of the State of Delaware, that the General Assembly requests the Domestic Violence Coordinating Council to study the expansion of domestic violence, teen dating violence, and sexual violence advocacy and legal services to minors. The Domestic Violence Coordinating Council shall seek input from the Community Legal Aid Society of Delaware, Delaware Volunteer Legal Services, Child Inc., domestic violence victims, and related organizations or individuals.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Domestic Violence Coordinating Council is requested to report recommendations to the General Assembly by May 31, 2020. Recommendations are to specify changes to the Delaware Code and Family Court policies and procedures and may specify the costs related to expanding domestic violence advocacy and legal services to minors.

SYNOPSIS

This House Resolution requests the Domestic Violence Coordinating Council (“DVCC”) to examine the expansion of domestic violence, teen dating violence, and sexual violence advocacy and legal services to minors. The DVCC may study the issue with assistance from various organizations outlined in the Resolution to provide recommendations to the General Assembly by May 31, 2020.