On Monday, the CDC released a new report that found teenage girls face “record high levels” of violence and suicide risk, per a release.
The report is based on data from a “nationally representative” sample of U.S. high school students collected in fall 2021.
“It clearly showed that this group needs a little bit of love and attention, because there are some serious issues out there,” Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich said during a media briefing Wednesday, noting the new report.
In 2021, almost 20% of female students reported experiencing sexual violence, up 20% since 2017. More than one in 10 teen girls said they have been forced to have sex, the first increase since the CDC began tracking this and a 27% increase from 2019.
More than one in four high school girls said they seriously considered suicide, up 60% since 2011. Reported suicide attempts among girls increased 30% compared to a decade ago, with more than one in 10 reporting they attempted in 2021.
Female students were more likely to have been drinking alcohol than male students.
The CDC develops its report to highlight national Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) data collected from a “nationally representative” sample of high school students in the U.S. The data is collected every two years. The reported data was collected in fall 2021 and it was the first YRBS data gathered since the pandemic started.
County Health Officer Dr. Kisha Davis said the national report seems to reflect what officials are seeing in the county in terms of the needs of girls and boys.
Elrich said that as a former teacher, he believes too many adults turn their backs on lots of behaviors.
“If boys will be boys and nobody puts a break on it, they’re going to grow up to be not the kind of men you would want to have a relationship [with] or be around,” Elrich said.
“We can’t ignore the social cues that we all see and then don’t say anything about.”
February is Teen Dating Violence Prevention Month in Montgomery County.
On Tuesday, the county council, Elrich, public safety officials and community partners gathered for a council proclamation recognizing the month, read by Councilmember Sidney Katz and Elrich.
“Each year, about 12% of young people in America are impacted by abusive relationships, either physically or psychologically, and this type of abuse is often committed by a current or former intimate partner,” Katz said on Tuesday.
Choose Respect Montgomery has opened its annual Choose Respect Video Contest for student entries. Winners will be announced at RespectFest on April 16.
Elrich said county government must continue to support, expand and communicate available resources, like the Montgomery County Family Justice Center, the Montgomery County Crisis Center and nonprofit partners. He said the Crisis Center offers free services 24/7, 365 days a year.
Services can be provided by telephone at 240-777-4000 or in-person at the Mid-County Department of Health and Human Services Building at 1301 Piccard Drive in Rockville. No appointments are needed.
