Community comes together to ‘Take Back the Night’

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Every year, people from all over the world are invited to “Take Back the Night” events, which empower the communities to take action against sexual and domestic violence.

Only about a third of sexual-assault victims even report the crime; “the other 68 percent don’t report,” said Trish Meyer, assistant executive director of Saving Grace, which hosted the event in in Bend on Friday evening.

“If somebody is in an unhealthy relationship, if they’re concerned they’re in an abusive relationship, it’s important for them to talk with somebody. If it’s in a school, it could be a teacher or a counselor,” Meyer said.

Domestic abuse and sexual assault survivor Jacquelien Mansker said telling her counselor about an abusive situation saved her life. She married at 19 and spent almost a decade in an abusive relationship.

“I was totally blindsided. I didn’t know any of the red flags, and it pushed me to the brink of death,” Mansker said.

Since the abuser was her husband, Mansker accepted his behavior. She’s been out of the marriage more than a year now and has a restraining order against her ex-husband.

She shares her story at schools, and spoke Friday in hopes of helping others.

“I just want people to know that they don’t have to put up with anything, except for a loving, kind and equal relationship,” Mansker said.

She said leaving an abuser can seem nearly impossible, but taking action is life changing.

“I’m healthier than I’ve ever been, happier than I’ve ever been,” she said. “I’m extremely empowered, and I’m going to keep speaking out for the rest of my life.”

Saving Grace provides confidential and free services to abuse victims. Their 24-hour hotline is (541) 389-7021. For more information: http://www.saving-grace.org/