Lindsay's Legacy: The Tragedy that Triggered Law Reform to Prevent Teen Dating Violence

Abstract

Intimate partner violence is common not only among adults but among teenagers as well. A recent large-scale study reveals the startling fact that dating violence begins as early as age eleven. In 2005, an innovative state law reform movement was launched that confers a proactive role on the schools to prevent teen dating violence (TDV). Currently, twenty states have laws that address TDV in the schools and additional states have pending legislation. This article explores the impetus for this law reform movement, provides an analysis of state laws on TDV prevention, and examines pending federal legislation that overcomes a fundamental obstacle to the enactment of these state laws.