Gila County supervisors proclaim February 2025 Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month

The Gila County Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted Proclamation No. 2025-01 on a voice vote designating February 2025 as Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month in Gila County.

Members of the Hila County Youth Advisory Council read the proclamation during the meeting and outlined the year's theme, “Respect That,” which the proclamation says will "educate, empower, and provide awareness to teens." The board then called for a motion; the motion and second were made and the chairman announced the motion passed unanimously.

The proclamation cites national statistics and local prevention priorities: it says 1 in 3 adolescent girls in the United States experiences physical, emotional or verbal abuse from a dating partner and notes that nearly half of teens who experience dating violence report the incident took place on school grounds. The proclamation lists recommended activities for residents and organizations, including a county-wide "Wear Orange" day on Monday, Feb. 10; educational workshops; social media campaigns; and support for local victim services.

The youth presenters also asked residents and organizations to host or attend workshops about healthy relationships, consent, and communication and to use the county’s social channels for awareness resources. Chairman Christianson thanked the students for their presentation and the board members offered praise for the group’s public presentation.

The board’s action was procedural: the proclamation carried on a unanimous voice vote and will be entered into the county record. The proclamation text states the board "encourages all citizens to join in raising awareness, promoting prevention efforts, and supporting survivors in our community."