As a survivor and advocate for victims of domestic abuse, I am passionate about addressing three key areas on a public platform. Too often, survivors find themselves voiceless, their voices silenced by the violence inflicted upon them. Yet, as survivors educate themselves about the dynamics of abuse and vocalize their needs, their voices gain strength. United, our voices become catalysts for change, heralding a new era of awareness and action.

Education stands as the foundational step toward breaking free from violence. Despite being a college graduate and an emergency room nurse, I found myself lacking the knowledge necessary to recognize early signs of domestic abuse. This deficiency in awareness made it all too easy to overlook the warning signs during the initial stages of my relationship.