Content notice: This message contains details of dating violence. If you or someone you know is being mistreated or hurt by a partner, reach out to the National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline available 24/7 by calling 1-866-331-9474 or if you're unable to speak safely, you can chat online at loveisrespect.org.
John–
My daughter, Jennifer Ann Crecente, died the day after Valentine's Day in 2006. She was at the invincible age of 18, a high school honors student who thought she could overcome any problem.
But she didn't die from a childhood disease or a car crash. She died from the leading cause of death among children and young people: Gun violence. She was murdered by a classmate she'd gotten to know, trust, and eventually date.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, an opportunity for us not only to remember survivors and victims like my daughter, but also to raise awareness of what domestic violence is, how to recognize it, and what can be done to prevent it.
Together, I know we can end this crisis: Read and share these important resources on preventing deadly domestic violence to help spread the word. We need to make sure everyone knows what's at stake, and is ready to take action.
Unfortunately, my daughter's story is far from rare. Every month, an average of 70 women are shot and killed by an intimate partner.
The good news is that we can prevent this deadly gun violence.
Just this year, we won a major victory by getting Congress to pass the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. It's a historic law that, among other things, addresses the deadly dating partner loophole by finally preventing convicted domestic abusers who abused their dating partners from buying or possessing guns.
It's a great example of how common-sense laws can help reduce the kind of intimate partner violence that killed my daughter.
Yet our work is far from over. Following my daughter's death, I founded Jennifer Ann's Group, an organization dedicated to doing everything it can to ensure no other parent has to have the awful realization that nothing will ever be the same again. We educate young people about warning signs that they are at risk of domestic violence and should seek help.
I can't bring my baby back. Jennifer Ann is gone, and as powerless as I may be about that, I have hope. I know together, we will not allow this crisis to go on.
Thank you for being a part of this movement.
Drew Crecente
Member, Everytown Survivor Network
Founder and Executive Director, Jennifer Ann's Group
Proud dad of Jennifer Ann Crecente
