Impassioned testimony about dating rights and wrongs

INDIANAPOLIS-- As Debbie Norris stood before the Indiana Senate Education committee, her hands began to shake and tears streamed down her face.

“I’ll never forget the day she walked into the living room and said to me, ‘Mom, I think I’m here to help people,’” Norris said shakily, as she fought to hold back her tears.

Her daughter, Heather, never had the chance. The 20-year-old was found stabbed to death, her body burned and then cut up with a chainsaw before being divided into trash bags and deposited in dumpsters across the south side of Indianapolis.

Heather’s Voice, a group founded by Norris on behalf of her daughter, seeks to educate teens about dating violence and domestic abuse.

Norris’ timid voice grew stronger as she pleaded the Education and Career Development committee to support Senate Bill 316, that would mandate Indiana schools teach students about healthy relationships and the dangers of dating violence and abuse.

Legislative director for the Indiana Department of Education Emily Shelman said the department currently is  looking at ways to ramp up their work to prevent school violence.

An amendment passed in the committee required the Department of Education develop guidelines for violence prevention programs including establishing basic principles of prevention and offering information about how parents can help.

Nancy Papas of the Indiana State Teachers Association praised the foundation of the bill, but said she was concerned about funding for the programs.

“These things are important, but if you want them in the calendar, you need flexibility and funding to put them in the calendar and pay for it,” Papas said.

Rep. Connie Sipes, D-New Albany, said she supports the bill, but has similar concerns.

“There’s disappointment that our professional development days have been taken away and these types of issues are not seen as important,” Sipes said. “(But) if we give the schools the support and resources they need, they can conduct a program that works.”

The bill passed out of committee, 8-1, and now will move to the Senate floor for consideration.