Dems propose adding ‘safe relationship behavior’ to sex ed

House Democrats want to change the way sex education is taught in schools.  

Reps. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.), Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.) and Alma Adams (D-N.C.) have introduced the Teach Safe Relationships Act of 2015. The bill would amend the Elementary and Secondary Schools Act to require schools to teach safe relationship behavior during sex education.

{mosads}Citing the Department of Justice, the lawmakers said more than 290,000 Americans will be victims of rape and sexual assault each year, and young women between the ages of 16 and 24 consistently experience the highest rate of intimate partner violence.

“Young women and men need to understand what relationship violence is, and where to turn when they have experienced abuse,” Maloney said in a statement.

“Teaching safe relationships needs to be a part of sexual education curricula, and we should provide schools with the resources they need to reach every student. We need to teach students that help is available, and that violence in any form from the people you love is never acceptable.”

Companion legislation was introduced in the Senate in February by Sens. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.).