A single mother who does not want to be identified says she's being abused by her 15-year-old son - a type of domestic violence officials say often goes unreported.

Connecticut state advocate Elizabeth Greenwood brought experts and community leaders together to help the mother, who asked to be identified as "Mary."

Officials say domestic violence against parents committed by their own children is a growing problem and all too often goes unreported. Mary, 47, says she's worried that her underage son will end up putting her in the hospital or worse.

Mary says she's reported the abuse to police on several occasions, but each time her son has gotten away with a simple slap on the wrist.

Police say that 31-year-old Thomas Walker, of Stratford, fatally stabbed his mother inside her own home in September. Mary's friends say they remember the case well, and don't want that kind of tragedy to be repeated.

Sen. Dennis Bradley says he's going to work with local officials to make sure Mary stays safe.

Mary, who says she came to the U.S. in search of the American dream, doesn't want it ruined by some domestic violence nightmare.

The Center for Family Justice in Bridgeport says drug abuse, gang activity and underlying mental health issues are contributing factors in the rise in child-on-parent domestic violence.