Help Spread The “Love Is Not Abuse” Dating Curriculum In Your State

HELP SPREAD THE “LOVE IS NOT ABUSE” DATING CURRICULUM IN YOUR STATE

In 2005, CAEPV Member Liz Claiborne Inc. joined forces with the Education Development Center (EDC) and a national advisory board of educators, teens and domestic violence experts to develop a three-day curriculum aimed at educating teens on the issue of teen dating violence. Titled Love Is Not Abuse, the curriculum uses literature and poetry, and provides a step-by-step outline for teaching about the sensitive subject of teen dating violence. Liz Claiborne piloted the curriculum in 20 schools across the country last year and is excited to report that feedback has been overwhelmingly and uniformly positive. In 2006, their goal is to have the curriculum taught in schools nationwide.

Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton (D- NY) and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) recently sent a “Dear Colleague” letter to their fellow Senators commending the Love Is Not Abuse curriculum and emphasizing the importance of the curriculum as a resource to educate teens about teen dating violence. This “Dear Colleague” letter was written to enlist each Senator to introduce the curriculum into high schools in their respective states.

As those dedicated to helping end domestic violence, Liz Claiborne is asking you to send an email to your senator, as well as passing this “ask” on to everyone that you know who might be interested in supporting this cause.

DIRECTIONS: Copy the below letter to your clipboard Go to http://www.congress.org/congressorg/home/ and input your zip code Click on your Senator’s name Select “Compose your own letter” Paste the letter we have provided in the text area

SENATOR LETTER Dear Senator [INSERT SENATOR NAME]:

I am following up on a “Dear Colleague” letter that Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) have sent asking you to join them in heading off domestic violence where it can first start—with teen dating relationships.

In the letter, Senators Clinton and Crapo commend a curriculum titled Love is Not Abuse which is a resource to educate teens about teen dating violence. The curriculum has been piloted successfully at many schools across the country.

I feel it is critically important to have this curriculum taught in our schools and as a member of your constituency, I am writing to ask you to please support this initiative and introduce this program into high schools in our state.

Many teenagers are dealing with dating violence on a daily basis. Having a key public figure like you address and call attention to the issue in our state is an important step towards ending the abuse. By bringing the issue of dating violence into the spotlight, together we can help to ensure the cycle of violence in teen dating relationships is broken.

Thank you very much for your consideration.