OP-ED
Preventing teen domestic violence in Queens
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TIMESLEDGER | QNS.COM | FEB. 19-FEB. 25, 2021 13
BY STACEY PHEFFER AMATO
I want to discuss a very serious but important
topic in recognition of Teen Dating Violence Awareness
Month.
According to the CDC, nearly one in 11 female
high school students and one in 15 male high school
students reported experiencing physical dating
violence in the last year. Additionally, 26 percent
of women and 15 percent of men who are victims of
sexual violence first experience this violence by a
partner before age 18. These statistics are troubling,
and rates of domestic violence have only increased
during the COVID-19 pandemic while we are all
staying home.
These statistics are beyond disturbing: that’s why
I will be hosting a panel on Thursday, Feb. 18, from
6 to 7:30 p.m. with representatives from Safe Horizon
and Shalom Task Force. This will be an open
and honest conversation for parents, guardians and
anyone who works with young people about how to
support the teens in your lives. Attendees will be
anonymous, so anyone can log on to the event and
ask questions if they need support. To register for
the event, call my office at 718-945-9550 or email amatos@
nyassembly.gov.
Domestic abuse is a particularly difficult issue
because the abuser is close to the victim. A domestic
abuser may be tough to recognize, because often
their behavior is concealed and hidden. That’s
why it is so important that we empower the people
in our lives to recognize, speak out and report this
injustice.
Young people are at particular risk of abuse while
they are participating in extracurricular or volunteer
activities beyond their household. Abuse does
not only take a physical form; many instances of
abuse begin with psychological aspects, which creates
a hostile work environment. This forum will
explore these questions and more with experts, and
provide resources for both teens and guardians.
If you are a parent, talk to the teenagers in your
lives about what healthy relationships look like and
how they deserve to be treated in personal and professional
settings. Communicate with them about
warning signs from other adults, and ensure that
there is another adult that they can talk to about
their concerns.
If you or someone close to you is experiencing
any form of abuse, I see you, I hear you and I believe
you. I am here to support you, and you are not alone.
There are resources in your community, including
Safe Horizons, which you can contact at 800-621-
HOPE (4673), and Shalom Task Force, which you can
contact at 718-337-3700.
Please join us and learn how you can support
the people in your life who need help. Everyone can
make a difference, and we can all come together to
bring some light to this terrible darkness.
Stacey Pheffer Amato is the assemblywoman in
District 23, which covers Broad Channel, Hamilton
Beach, Howard Beach, Lindenwood, Ozone Park and
the Rockaway Peninsula.
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