Attorney General Bill McCollum News Release
February 22, 2010
Media Contact: Jenn Meale
Phone: (850) 245-0150
en EspañolPrint Icon Print Version

Attorney General Highlights Community Program for Efforts to Prevent Teen Dating Violence

~ Orlando program teaches young men about the value of positive relationships ~


TALLAHASSEE, FL – Attorney General Bill McCollum today joined the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Orlando’s Harbor House to highlight an Orlando program that teaches youth between the ages of 11-14 to prevent teen dating violence. The Coaching Boys Into Men program, an initiative of the Family Violence Prevention Fund, works with young men to identify positive relationship behavior and change their mentality about dating relationships.

“Not only are these young men learning about safe and healthy relationships, they are learning that their community cares about them,” said Attorney General McCollum. “This program is truly making a difference.”

Since 2003, Harbor House has sponsored the Coaching Boys Into Men program, which offers a nine-week “Healthy Relationships” curriculum with weekly meetings led by community mentors. Coaching Boys Into Men also engages the youth in group-sponsored activities such as basketball tournaments and fishing trips. Over 180 young men participated in the program in the past year.

“This program is important because it teaches us how to treat girls, be in healthy relationships and grow to be better men” said Harrison Brown, a 14-year old program participant.

Earlier this year, Congress passed a resolution naming February as Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month to bring attention to this serious problem threatening children and to encourage programs that prevent teen dating violence. Statistics indicate that teen dating violence is starting to affect younger children; one in five children between the ages of 11 and 14 have reported they know a victim of dating violence, and nearly 50 percent know someone in a dating relationship who is experiencing verbal abuse.

“The Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Harbor House are proud to join Attorney General McCollum to commend the excellent work these mentors are doing to educate our children about safe, healthy relationships,” said Tiffany Carr, CEO of the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence. “This program is changing our youth's mentality about dating relationships, and our community will certainly benefit from these efforts."

Also joining the Attorney General was Representative Kurt Kelly (R—Ocala), who sponsored legislation in memory of Tiffany Barwick that provides the same rights and remedies to victims of dating violence that are available to victims of domestic violence. Tiffany Barwick was 19 when her ex-boyfriend murdered her and her friend, Michael Ruschak. Previous Florida law required a specific threat and a reasonable belief the person has the ability to carry it out before charges could be brought for assault or a written threat to kill.

The Attorney General stressed the importance of helping children learn to recognize the warning signs of potentially abusive relationships and encouraged parents, teachers and other adults to help the teens in their lives protect themselves and their friends. More information about teen dating violence awareness and prevention is available online at: http://www.teendvmonth.org/

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