Submitted by the Coordination for Community Safety Committee, Masset--The Coordination for Community Safety Committee has been meeting in Masset each month to address the issue of violence in our communities. The intent of these meetings is that through coordination of services, we are more capable of preventing and mitigating the effects of violence. In fact, statistics show that in extreme cases of violence, especially those including death as a result of domestic violence, coordination would have been essential to the work of preventing such tragedies.At June's meeting, one committee member raised a concern of an emerging trend: young girls (ages 13, 14, 15 years old) dating older men (ages: 22-25 years old). The committee spent much of that meeting discussing the specific concerns this trend raises for the safety of these young girls.Why is this trend a concern?. young girls are more vulnerable to dating violence than any other group. And with an age gap as large as 8-10 years, there's a power imbalance that limits a young girl's capacity to make informed choice. This only increases the risk for violence for these young girls. . young girls who date older men are more likely to engage in risky behaviour, such as under-age drinking and drug-use. In turn, substance-use increases the risks of being exposed to violence, pressure to have sex before they're ready, exposure to STI's/HIV without adequate information on protection.. teenage pregnancy becomes a concern when older men are at a different stage of their lives, ready to begin a family. Statistics show 75 percent of children born to high school girls are fathered by men older than high school age.All these concerns aside, the fact remains. The age of consent in Canada is 16 years old (with a couple of exceptions involving close-in-age encounters). The reality is hard and fast; legally, these men could be charged with statutory rape. Families need to help educate the children about the possible harms associated with this behaviour. Given the seriousness of dating violence there needs to be an ongoing commitment to educate our youth. Addressing dating violence with young people in the home and in the school system may help to prevent future spousal abuse and other forms of family violence.If you have any ideas about how to address this concern in our community, write to: Sandra.dan@omvc.ca