LEXINGTON, Ky. ( FOX 56 ) — October marks Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time to spread awareness and remember those who have been lost to abuse
In 2023 , more than 44% of women and nearly 33% of men were victims of abuse. That means domestic violence affects one in two women and one in three men in our state.
FOX 56 spoke with one survivor named Jessica, who asked to use only her first name and stayed off camera for safety reasons. She said it’s important for everyone to realize that there is hope, even in the darkest of times.
“I was with my abuser for almost five years; he isolated me for four years, kept me away from my family; then one day in April, he strangled me. So that’s when I knew I had to get away,” Jessica said.
For Jessica, it’s a memory that’s hard to look back on.
“At first it was hard; I felt like I needed him and GreenHouse17 helped me realize that I don’t need him. I need to be there for me; I need to love me, and I need to focus on me,” said Jessica.