Coakley Urges MIAA to Adopt Policies to Stop Teen Dating Violence
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
Coakley and Healey recently sent out a letter to the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) urging the association to create stronger policies addressing teen dating violence.
“The recent acts of domestic violence committed by players in the National Football League have shined a light on a problem that has impacted far too many families for far too long,” said Coakley and Healey in their letter. “The actions by these professional athletes, and the insufficient response by the National Football League, have sent the wrong message to our young people about the seriousness of domestic violence and violence against women.”
In addition to urging the MIAA to create new, stronger policies, Coakley and Healey left the door open to the association to work together if they are elected. Both candidates have spent time in their career advocating to protect the women and children of Massachusetts.
A Call to Action
In an effort to stop domestic violence at a young age, Coakley and Healey want to see more education and awareness for student-athletes, something that should help to cut down on teen dating violence in the future.
According to loveisrespect.org, nearly 1.5 million high school students experience physical abuse from their dating partner. Additionally, one in four high school girls have been a victim of physical or sexual abuse, which puts them at an increased risk for suffering from eating disorders, substance abuse, and being further victims of domestic violence.
Coakley and Healey made a few recommendations in their letter, most notably to adapt a rule already in place for hazing to the realm of teen dating abuse. Coakley and Healey recommend that student-athletes at the beginning of each season should be spoken to about the dangers and consequences of teen dating abuse and that each student-athlete should pledge to not commit act of teen dating violence.
Ready to Work Together
According to Bill Gaine, the Executive Director of the MIAA, there are already a lot of rules and policies in place to address the issue of teen dating violence with student-athletes throughout Massachusetts.
Many of the rules in place – most notably a citizenship rule that addresses self-respect and respect of others - are broad enough in the sense that they already cover the issue of teen dating violence. With that being said, Gaine said that he is glad that the issue was brought up and that both Coakley and Healey offered their support in crafting new, more pointed policies, provided that is something the membership of the MIAA is open to.
"Sportsmanship is something that deals with respect and we are completely opposed to these behaviors; we have policies, programming, and recognition programs in place to prevent them," said Gaine. "I was pleased to see the overture about working together on the projects; it certainly provides us with the support that we need because of the funding issues in running some of these outreach programs. We have rules that while focusing on issues like alcohol and hazing, they still apply to teen dating violence. If our membership is in favor of and wants to move forward with a more direct rule, it is certainly something we could work on in the future."
Related Articles
- NEW: Worcester Colleges Score $500,000 To Reduce Campus Violence
- NEW: Patrick Signs Bill to Protect Sexaul Assault and Domestic Violence Victims
- Disturbing Domestic Violence Trends in Worcester
- Domestic Violence Awareness: Fashion Goes Purple
- Angiulo: New MA Domestic Violence Law Changes Process After Arrest for Both Victims and Accused
- Institute for the Study and Practice of Nonviolence’s “Invest in Peace” Fundraiser
- NEW: Sen. Cowan Applauds Bill to Prevent Violence Against Women
- McGovern Pushes for Action at Worcester Gun Violence Forum
- MA Gun Advocates Demand Rewrite of Gun Violence Reduction Bill
- Grossman Calls Out Coakley for Lack of Diversity Hiring
- Coakley Urges Grossman to Disavow Illegal SuperPAC-Funded Ads
- Coakley Blasts Baker for Opposition to Earned Sick Time Initiative
- Baker Calls Out Coakley For Lack of Position on Major Issues
- Former Gubernatorial Candidate Berwick Endorses Coakley for Governor
- New: Baker Blasts Coakley on Gas Tax Gaffe
- Grossman Calls Out Coakley for Supporting Unlimited Gun Sales
- Coakley Campaign Attacks Grossman for SuperPAC Support
- Baker Now Leads Coakley in Poll
- NEW: Grossman Closing Gap on Coakley in MA Governor’s Race
- NEW: Poll Shows Huge Lead for Coakley in MA Governor’s Race
- Coakley Wins – Will Face Off Against Baker in November
- Coakley Campaign Launches New TV Ad Highlighting Her Economic Plan
- Coakley Blasted For Outsider Image Portrayed in First TV Ad
- Coakley’s First TV Ad Focuses on Standing Up for MA Residents
- NEW: Coakley Launches Women’s Leadership Council for MA
- NEW: Planned Parenthood, Coakley to Announce New Buffer Zone Plans
- Planned Parenthood, Coakley Blast Baker for Hobby Lobby Comments
- Is Coakley Using Women’s Issues as a Campaign Crutch?
- Coakley Stands By Actions of Market Basket Employees
- NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts Endorses Coakley for Governor
- Coakley’s Latest Gaffe Joins Massachusetts Political History
- Kayyem Blasts Coakley for Opposing Federal Health Exchange Option
- NEW: Coakley Calls for Increased SuperPac Transparency in MA Campaigns
- Berwick Responds to MassEquality’s Decision to Endorse Coakley
- Guest MINDSETTER™ Maura Healey: Candidate for Attorney General
- Healey Wins MA Attorney General in Dominant Fashion
- Anti-Gun Violence Org Calls On Legislature to Tighten MA Gun Laws
- NEW: MA Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence Advocates Stricter Laws
Follow us on Pinterest Google + Facebook Twitter See It Read It