BOISE -- New federal legislation is being introduced to help raise awareness and educate people about teen dating violence.
Idaho Senator Mike Crapo and other state leaders today announced the Stop Abuse for Every Teen Act, also known as the SAFE Teen Act.
The legislation is aimed at preventing and educating teens about dating violence.
Over 40 percent of young people who report they are victims of dating violence say that the incidents occurred in a school building or on school grounds.
"There is a tremendous effort underway in the United States already to develop the curriculum and to develop the safe harbor programs for those who are victims of domestic violence and involved in difficult dating violence relationships," said Crapo.
Crapo said the legislation will authorize schools to use existing grant funding for teen dating violence prevention, and support better teen dating violence data to understand the scope of the problem.
At least 15 states have passed teen dating violence laws that urge or require school boards to develop curriculum on teen dating violence.
