Heather’s Law: Educating students about reality of dating violence

This fall, curriculum for many students in grades 6 through 12 will include lessons on the serious reality of dating violence.

According to the Indiana Youth Institute, 12.1% of young people in Indiana report being hit, slapped or physically hurt on purpose by a boyfriend or girlfriend.

Approved by the General Assembly in 2010, Senate Enrolled Act (SEA) 316 required the Indiana Dept. of Education, in collaboration with organizations that have expertise in dating violence, domestic violence and sexual abuse, to develop or identify curriculum models by July 1, 2011, and to assist schools with the implementation of dating violence education programs and policies. The IDOE has published materials and response policies for schools to begin using this school year.

Debbie Norris and Sen. Earline Rogers join Gov. Mitch Daniels at the table during the signing of Heather's Law in April 2010.

The bill was authored by Senator Earline Rogers (D-Gary) and named in memory of Heather Norris, a young Indiana woman who was brutally murdered by her estranged high school boyfriend in 2007.  The driving force for passage of the new law was Debbie Norris, mother of Heather Norris. Heather’s Law was developed through a collaboration of community service providers including Domestic Violence Network, Indiana Coalition Against Sexual Assault, Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Children’s Bureau, Washington Township Schools, and the Indiana Department of Education.

Read more about the history of this legislation>>

Photos: Heather’s Law signed today

State Senator Earline Rogers (District 3) joined Governor Daniels for the bill signing of Senate Enrolled Act (SEA) 316, known as “Heather’s Law.”  The new law requires the Department of Education to develop models for Indiana schools to better educate students about the serious reality of dating violence. The law is named for Heather Norris who was brutally murdered by her estranged high school boyfriend in 2007.  Heather’s mother Debbie Norris, the driving force behind the passage of SEA 316,  joined Senator Rogers and Governor Daniels for the bill signing this afternoon. The event was also attended by Heather’s father, Ed Ancelet, and several family members as well as representatives from the Domestic Violence Network, Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Sheltering Wings, Indiana Coalition Against Sexual Assault, the Children’s Bureau, the Department of Education, local schools and law enforcement.  Read more about Heather’s Law >

L to R: Debbie Morris, mother of Heather Norris, Governor Daniels, and State Senator Earline Rogers

State Senator Earline Rogers and Debbie Norris

Heather’s Law: New curriculum will educate students on reality of dating violence

In Indiana, 10% of teens have been physically or sexually abused by a date.

This year Senator Earline Rogers (D-Gary) successfully ushered a new law through the General Assembly requiring the Indiana Department of Education (DOE) to develop models for Indiana schools to better educate students about the serious reality of dating violence. Senate Enrolled Act (SEA) 316 requires the DOE, in collaboration with organizations that have expertise in dating violence, domestic violence and sexual abuse, to develop or identify these models by July 1, 2011 and to assist schools with the implementation of the dating violence education programs and policies for grades 6 through 12.

Dating violence is a serious problem that continues to get worse. By educating young people about it, we can help prevent dating violence before it happens. – Sen. Earline Rogers

SEA 316 is named for Heather Norris, who was brutally murdered by her estranged high school boyfriend in 2007.

The driving force for passage of SEA 316 was Debbie Norris, mother of Heather Norris. Since Heather’s murder, Debbie has campaigned for expanded teen dating violence education in an effort to protect more young people from the death suffered by her daughter. Heather’s Law was developed through a collaboration of community service providers including Domestic Violence Network, Indiana Coalition Against Sexual Assault, Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Children’s Bureau, Washington Township Schools, and the Indiana Department of Education.

SEA 316 was approved by the Senate and House of Representatives before being signed into law by Governor Mitch Daniels on March 18. The ceremonial signing of Heather’s Law will take place on Monday, April 12, 2010.

On a related note… Indiana Youth Institute President and CEO Bill Stanczykiewicz recently took the opportunity of prom season to address the issue of teen dating violence in a guest column printed in the Evansville Courier-Press.

Prom season has arrived, reminding us that respectful dating can be a healthy activity for teens.

But a serious problem threatens to take the bloom off the corsage. Teen dating violence devastates kids and relationships. A familiar cause remains all too common. Too many parents remain unaware… Read more