Community activists from across the city gathered at the St. Mary’s Center in West Oakland on Thursday, April 15, for a round table discussion on domestic violence and its far reaching effects on the community.

Domestic violence knows no color or religion or economic status or age. It is a fact, however, that 85 percent of the victims of domestic violence are women. One woman is beaten by her husband or partner every 15 seconds in the United States. The clock is ticking. It is widespread and under reported and affects most anyone in any hamlet, borough or community within the city of Oakland.