Sexual Assault Statistics in N.Y. Said 'Alarming'
One in six teenagers in New York City experiences sexual violence at some point, a rate higher than the national average, a new survey has found.
According to the survey, 16.2% of New York City teenagers reported experiencing sexual violence, compared to between 7% and 10.2% of teenagers nationwide.
The findings are based on a three-year study of 1,300 New York City high school students between the ages of 13 and 21. Portions of the study, conducted by researchers at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health and the New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault, were released last week. The full results will be published next month.
The report also found that 89% of teenagers who experienced sexual violence knew their attacker. Less than half, or 41.4%, of students who experienced sexual violence told someone about the experience.
"These are alarming statistics any way you look at them," the executive director of the alliance, Harriet Lessel, said in a statement.
More New Yorkers Getting HIV Tests
The percentage of New York City adults who were tested for HIV increased slightly, to 29%, in 2006, up from 23% in 2005, according to city health officials.
But in a new report, health officials said only one-third, or 35%, of men who had sex with men had a recent HIV test. About 43% of those who used intravenous drugs were tested for HIV in the past year.
"Knowing your HIV status is one of the most important things you can do for your health," the city's health commissioner, Dr. Thomas Frieden, said in a statement announcing the findings. Last week, the city's health department launched an aggressive campaign urging all Bronx residents to be tested for HIV and AIDS.
City health officials said more than 100,000 New York City residents have HIV or AIDS. About 4,000 individuals were diagnosed with HIV in 2006.
Healthcare Association Honors National Guard Doctors
The Healthcare Association of New York State gave its top award to a National Guard physician, Dr. Joan Sullivan, and members of the New York Army National Guard's 466th Area Medical Support Company.
At an awards ceremony last week, Dr. Sullivan, of Ithaca, N.Y., accepted a distinguished service award from HANYS from Afghanistan, where she is serving her third tour of duty. Previously, Dr. Sullivan was awarded a Bronze Star from the U.S. Army.
The commander of the 466th Company, Lieutenant Colonel Jamie Green, accepted the company's award from HANYS. The company includes 72 soldiers from the Glen Falls, N.Y., area, who provided medical care in Iraq in 2006 and 2007.
esolomont@nysun.com
