(Photo by Selma Komisky)

WARNING: THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS CONTENT FOR MATURE AUDIENCES ONLY

Make Your Mark Spotlight: Fighting For Me Inc.

By Sarah Komisky

Sexual assault affects everyone. Not only the victim, but your loved ones. Identified as, “any action that forces, pressures, or coerces someone to do something sexually they don’t or wouldn’t otherwise want to do,” those ranging from ages 12-34 are the highest at-risk for sexual abuse. Only 5-20% of sexual abuse and assault are reported. And, both men and women can be victims as well as perpetrators of sexual abuse.

According to recent stats, 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys are sexually abused before 18. Additionally, every 107 seconds, another sexual assault occurs.

According to the World Health Organization, victims are 3 times more likely to suffer from depression, 13 times more likely to abuse alcohol, 26 more likely to abuse drugs, and 6 times more likely to suffer from PTSD.

This is why Marked Ministry is proud to partner with Fighting For Me, Inc. As a survivor of sexual abuse herself, founder Amanda Zarate took a stand against sexual abuse by creating a non-profit in 2012. Her desire was to bring hope to the hurting by making counseling accessible to all. Today, Fighting For Me, Inc. provides sexual abuse aftercare and prevention as well as free, professional counseling to those in need.

You can find amazing resources, educational tools, recovery help, ways to partner and give to this amazing organization by visiting fightingforme.org and if you would like to hear more about Amanda’s story, stay tuned for her new book release coming out soon!