Montgomery County proclaims February 2025 Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month

The Montgomery County Council and County Executive Mark Elrich on Feb. 2025 issued a proclamation declaring February 2025 as Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, endorsing education and services for young people and publicizing county resources for survivors.

The proclamation, introduced by Councilmember Katz and read jointly by the county executive and councilmember Katz, calls attention to the prevalence and consequences of teen dating violence and highlights Choose Respect Montgomery, an initiative of the Montgomery County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council. County Executive Mark Elrich signed the proclamation along with Council President Kate Stewart.

Why it matters: The proclamation directs attention to prevention and to county support services for teens and families. County and law-enforcement speakers at the announcement emphasized outreach and education as central tools to reduce abuse and to connect people with the Family Justice Center.

At the ceremony, Councilmember Katz cited federal data, saying, "The Centers for Disease Control reported that nearly 1 in 12 high school students in The United States report experiencing physical or sexual dating violence over the course of 1 year," and noted higher risks for female and LGBTQ youth. County Executive Mark Elrich said the problem begins early and urged more intervention in schools, saying, "It is just absurd the level that's occurred that occurs in our community." Arthur Baber, identified in the meeting as the student member of the Domestic Violence Coordinating Council, described the county's annual Respect Fest as "a festival that celebrates consent and healthy relationships."

The proclamation and discussion pointed attendees to the Montgomery County Family Justice Center for support and directed the public to Choose Respect programming. The council materials and speakers announced Respect Fest on April 6, 2025, at the Wheaton Recreational Center, and referenced educational programs, a public-service announcement competition and workshops for teen athletes as components of the Choose Respect initiative.

Officials asked residents experiencing teen dating violence to contact the Family Justice Center — either via its website or its offices in Rockville — for services and advocacy. The county took a group photo after the signing.

Announced details and next steps: Respect Fest is scheduled for April 6, 2025, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Wheaton Recreational Center; Choose Respect programming will continue through a March 31–April 6 virtual community week referenced in the proclamation. The council did not take formal legislative action on the proclamation beyond the signing and public announcement.

Speakers at the event included Councilmember Katz; County Executive Mark Elrich; Jody Finkelstein, executive director, Montgomery County Commission for Women and Human Trafficking Prevention Committee; Debbie Feinstein, chief, Special Victims Division, Montgomery County State's Attorney's Office and chair of Choose Respect; Sheriff Maxwell Lee; Assistant Sheriff Kina Jones; Detective/Deputy Director Dave Cohen (Special Victims Investigations Division); Detective Corporal Chaz Athalie; Arthur Baber, student member of the Domestic Violence Coordinating Council; Ashley Noy, manager of domestic violence prevention programs, Montgomery County Family Justice Center; Smith Agariah, acting director, Family Justice Center; and Family Justice Center interns and student advisory members.