Sharing our values out loud, RISE collaborated on this Op Ed in the Jan. 19 2022 of the Tennessean newspaper (Nashville).

"Tennesseans need responsible, inclusive, fact-based reproductive health and relationship education. This type of education reduces violence, unintended pregnancy and STI contraction—all of which Tennessee sees at alarmingly high rates."

Tennessee published its State of the Child 2021 report in December. The report found that girls face outrageously high rates of violence – more than 1 in 6 high school girls in Tennessee experienced physical abuse from a dating partner in the past year.

This number is twice the national rate and significantly higher than other states, and current measures are not working.

RISE partnered with Healthy and Free Tennessee, O2 Strategic Partners, Advocates for Women and Kids Equality (AWAKE), and the Women’s Fund of Greater Chattanooga on this opinion piece, published today, Jan. 19, 2022, in The Tennessean (Nashville).