Recently, I participated in an event at a church in Manhattan. The event was a way of bringing "sisters" together and discussing health and wellness issues, such as depression, teen dating violence, domestic violence and heart disease.

Many people go through situations without knowing of the various support systems and resources available to them. April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Consider the following quote from the state Office of Prevention of Domestic Violence, which relates specifically to teen dating violence: "You may be thinking, "This wouldn't happen to my teen. They know better."

In a survey of more than 4000 9th through 12th graders, approximately 1 in 5 female students reported being physically and/or sexually abused by a dating partner.
Females between the ages of 16 and 24 experience the highest per capita rates of domestic violence. 30% of all teenage girls who are killed are killed by a boyfriend or former boyfriend. (Source: opdv.state.ny.us/public_awareness)
SAAM brings an annual opportunity to focus awareness on sexual violence and its prevention.

Everyday, four women are killed by their abusive partner. 25% of girls and 17% of boys will be sexually assaulted by the time they are 18 years old. 14% of all American women acknowledge having been violently abused by a husband or boyfriend. 28% of all homicides of women are domestic violence assaults to women. Men perpetrate 95% of reported domestic assaults to women.(Source: Women Against Mistreatment flyer)

I want to leave you with a couple of resources available to women to educate themselves, protect themselves, and fight back against violence and sexual assault: 1) New York State Domestic & Sexual Violence Hotline: 800-942-6906 2) Women Against Mistreatment/Musuko's Pure Intense Training School 182 Osborne/West Burnside Avenue. Bronx, NY 10453- 646-773-1512