BILL NUMBER:S2077

TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the social services law, in relation
to creating a domestic abuse hotline for teens; and to amend the
education law, in relation to requiring a school assembly on domestic
abuse

PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:  To provide a domestic abuse
toll-free hotline for teens and require all New York State high
schools to hold an assembly addressing the dangers of domestic
violence and providing information for the toll-free hotline.

SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

Section 459-h of the social services law is renumbered section 459-i,
and a new section, 459-h, is added which would establish a toll-frie
domestic abuse hotline for teens. The education law is amended by
adding a new section 3235, which would establish a mandatory domestic
abuse assembly.

JUSTIFICATION:  Violence in adolescent relationships is a growing
problem in society, and may result in long term trauma for the
victims. The years during adolescence are the time when patterns of
abuse develop, violence in dating relationships may be a precursor for
abuse in adult relationships Teens must be educated about the dangers
of domestic violence during these formative years
              

A recent report on youth domestic violence indicated that one in five
or 30,000 teenage girls in New York City are victims of dating
violence. Another study has shown that nearly 25% of female students
have been victims of forced sexual intercourse by grade 12. A large
scale survey of the college population has also shown that one in four
women have been victims of rape or attempted rape. In New York City
alone there has been a 70% increase in adolescent calls to the City's
Domestic Violence Hotline since 1998.

Abuse is not only a physical assault on the victim, many adolescents
are victims of verbal abuse by their partner as well. Studies show
that nearly half of all adolescent girls report verbal abuse in their
relationship. Proper education must be implemented to address the many
forms and dangers of domestic violence. Adolescents must also be
educated about the many avenues they may take for assistance in their
abusive relationship.

This legislation will provide adolescents with a toll-free hotline,
which would be available 24 hours a day to assist victims or potential
victims of teen domestic abuse. Additionally, an assembly addressing
the dangers of domestic violence would be required in each high school
across the state, The assembly would also supply the students with the
toll-free number of the domestic abuse hotline for teens.

PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:  2004: A.10029 - Referred to Children and
Families 2005-06: A.926 - Referred to Children and Families 2007-08:
A.3768 - Referred to Children and Families 2009-10: A 7630-A - Held in
Children and Families 2011-12: S.983 - Died in Committee


FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:  Unknown.

EFFECTIVE DATE:  This act shall take effect immediately; provided,
however, that section two of this act shall apply to any school year
commencing at least thirty days after such effective date.