So far this year in North Carolina, there have been 39 domestic violence murders. In 2010, there were 73 reported cases.
Turqueya Vincent is a victim of an abusive marriage. She considers herself one of the lucky ones after surviving three years in an abusive relationship.
"I remember the first one. It was pure astonishment. I didn't know how to react. I was numb, it was almost like, did that just happen to me, did I just get hit?" recalls Vincent.
"Abuse, abandonment, neglect, blame, worthlessness. It's literally like leeches. You know how leeches suck onto us, well this is like a love leech, a self worth leech."
She went to Interact of Wake County for help, then left, ashamed. She returned a second time, and stayed.
"Interact was here to be naked with, to have no judgment to support, whether it was a listening ear or advocacy," Vincent says.
At the center kids learn what domestic violence is. Last year, more than 6,800 came here. That's about 1,500 more, than the year before.
Leigh Duque, Interact's Executive Director, says resources are diminishing.
"Resources from all area government funding has diminished, individuals are less inclined in this kind of economic climate to make contributions, it really is going to be a very, very tough couple of years," said Duque.
Tough, but life saving, with this goal says Stephanie Francis, the Clinical Education Director.
"Move out of the shelter and move into situations free from violence and abuse and be able to start moving forward."
Vincent says she has moved forward, and healed.
If you or anyone you know is in trouble, the "Interact" 24 hour domestic violence crisis line number is 828-7740. There's a separate hotline for sexual assault: 828-3005.
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement