Survivors of Domestic Violence Attempted Homicide

Erica's ex-boyfriend shot her twice with a shotgun while she was holding their two-year-old daughter. He had become abusive so she had left him. He was determined to kill her, their daughter and himself in an attempt to control her and continue the abuse. Erica and her daughter survived.

"When speaking, my goal is to educate and reinforce the assistance that is available to victims while in the process leaving or after leaving the abuse. Every time I speak I heal more, knowing that I have helped victims towards regaining their faith and strength to leave the abuse or considering leaving. I am a survivor of Domestic Violence and I am here to tell my story."

Jeanne's ex-husband was physically and emotionally abusive. Initially the relationship appeared healthy and the abuser at first presented himself as a knight in shinning armor. Jeanne speaks of leaving an abuser and how each time a victim returns to the relationship it is with new armor that will eventually provide the strength and security to leave for good. After Jeanne left her husband for good, she bought a new house and started a new life. Her husband continually stalked and harassed Jeanne and finally broke into her home and attacked her and their son with a crowbar. Through hand-to-hand fighting and quick thinking, Jeanne was able to protect her young son and get her husband out of the room and behind a locked door. Jeanne talks about survival, signs of an abuser, how family members can best support and reach out to a victim, law enforcement's response to domestic violence, and the criminal justice system and domestic violence.