New law mandates dating violence education

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Domestic violence experts say the cycle of domestic abuse occurs all too frequently - even in relationships among teenagers. According to the Indiana Youth Institute , 12 percent of Hoosier youths report being hurt by someone they're dating.

In 2007, a young couple's abusive relationship turned deadly. The victim's mother fought to make dating violence education law in Indiana.

Heather Norris was full of joy. Friends say her laughter was frequent and her smile was ever-present. But after she began dating Joshua Bean her senior year in high school, her happiness faded. It was clear to family and friends something had changed.

"He kept Heather alienated from all of her friends, kept her away from her family, told her it was either her family and friends or him," said Debbie Norris, Heather's mother.

Family and friends remember Bean's abuse was not only emotional but also physical. Bean would apologize, promising to change but would abuse her again later. Experts say it is a classic pattern of abuse.

Then in April, Bean stabbed 20-year-old Norris to death in his eastside home, dismembered her body with a chainsaw and threw body parts in various south side trash bins.

"It's so hard to think that your child's final resting place would be a Dumpster," said Norris, tearfully.

Bean was eventually found guilty and sentenced to the maximum penalty, 68 years in prison.

Debbie Norris has long advocated dating violence education in schools, and on April 12 she witnessed a bill signing that made dating violence education law. State senator Earline Rogers wrote the legislation.

"It helps to educate the public and parents about what he problem is, and the more people are educated about the problem the more we can find solutions," said Rogers, a Democrat from Gary.

The bill mandates the Indiana Department of Education work with domestic violence prevention leaders to develop dating violence education programs.

"I believe this law is going to take huge steps in Heather helping people," Norris said.

The new law, called Heather's Law, mandates that the Department of Education work with domestic violence prevention experts to create programs for schools by July 1, 2011.

Tony Bennett, Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction, issued a statement late Monday stating, "This is an important step forward in the battle to end dating related violence and domestic abuse. The Indiana Department of Education looks forward to working with school corporations and community stakeholders across Indiana to develop a framework for research-supported policies and best practices that will assist schools in addressing these problems."