Domestic violence victims speak out
[gtxvideo vid=”IWLtjKF6″ playlist=”” pid=”OTSe9U1y” thumb=”http://player.gtxcel.com/thumbs/IWLtjKF6.jpg” vtitle=”Domestic Abuse Survivor – Bryan”]
JACKSON, Tenn. — At least five new domestic violence victims seek help at the Dream Center every month. That’s in addition to the dozens of women already using their resources, trying to escape from a dangerous situation. “I thought I could put up with it, you know, the abuse,” Sandy said. “It became a lifestyle. I thought it was normal.” Sandy, who did not want to reveal her whole name, says she suffered several years of abuse. Sandy says the pain she endured turned her to drugs, but she was finally able to seek help at the Dream Center. “He was kind. He seemed like he wanted to protect me, but as time moved on he started to get out of control,” Sandy said. Sandy is one of many victims of domestic violence. Her friend Michelle, who also declined to reveal her whole name, says she experienced abuse in several relationships for 28 years. Both women want to share their stories to encourage other women to come forward for help. “You need to seek help,” Michelle said. “You can’t do this all by yourself, and sometimes we need to just ask for help.” Michelle says the hardest part is admitting you’re a victim of an abusive relationship. The Dream Center offers a safe haven for women and children to live while they heal through counseling programs and support groups. Michelle says Monday’s deadly shooting is heartbreaking. “It makes me always go back and think of situations I’ve been in and think, ‘you know, that could have happened to me,'” she said.
