Lima, August 1 (teleSUR-RHC)-- Nelly Canción, a psychologist and specialist on domestic violence, announced on Friday the findings of recent studies regarding abused women carried out by the National Institute of Statistics and Information and statistics of Doctor Doris Caceres from the National Hospital Dos de Mayo.

The information shows 37 percent of Peruvian women between 15 and 49 years old have been victims of domestic violence. Also, an estimated 70 percent of those victims end up depressed and dependent on drugs or alcohol. In addition, more than 3,000 children and adolescents from Peru between 12 and 17 years of age suffered from sexual assault between January of 2014 and April of 2015.

Canción who is also Director of the non-profit Vida Mujer, also claims many start with sleeping pills or alcohol and then move to stronger drugs. “They could start drinking alcohol hiding and the family or children do not notice,” she claims and “taking pharmaceuticals, going out without caring for weather or not they should take care of themselves or their family,” she said.

A few women who experience domestic violence are able to get support at Vida Mujer, an organization that provides a save space, therapy sessions, and empowerment workshops. This non-profit has been able to free women from dependency on drugs and alcohol and also from the cycle of domestic violence. However, most of Peruvian women are currently left to deal with their tragic situation without this type of support.