She woke up on the kitchen floor in pain, disoriented, but quickly the memories surfaced. The fighting. Trying to tell him she was leaving, she was done. Then his hands around her neck as she struggled to breathe, fighting desperately to get free.
We walk in support of every survivor fighting for their lives in an abusive relationship.
Raped and visibly traumatized, she was wearing her shirt inside out when she arrived at the hospital. She’d dressed so hurriedly she had not put on underwear and stood clutching her shirt with one hand and the arm of her advocate with the other, as she tried to explain what had happened.
We walk so that every survivor of sexual assault has support during some of the most traumatic moments of their life.
“The support group taught me boundaries and self-worth. It is where I defined that the violence in my relationship; the control, the manipulation, the physical and verbal abuse, were unacceptable. It is where I found the courage to stand up to my abusive spouse and end the relationship.”
We walk to ensure every survivor has access to nurturing and educational support groups where they can talk freely and safely, and know they are not alone.
“I’m not sure I remember the first time he hit me, but once the physical abuse started, it became a regular part of our marriage. I left him countless time, but every single time, he coaxed me back with apologies and promises to change. But it never really changed and every time I ran, it got worse. It wasn’t until a TPN advocate met me at court and helped me with a restraining order that I took my first easy breaths.”
We walk so every survivor has an advocate by their side in court, ensuring safety for their families and themselves.
We walk because violence does not discriminate. It affects all ages, all genders, all types of relationships and all income levels. It happens in schools, in places of work, in restaurants we frequent and in places we worship. We walk because these are not personal issues, these are societal issues, and we all must come together to reduce the impact of violence on our families, our community, and our future generations. We walk so services remain free and accessible to anyone in need, no matter the time of day or night.
Join us in a show of solidarity May 4, as hundreds of neighbors, colleagues, friends and families walk through historic downtown Claremont to raise $85,000 in support of the vital services TPN offers across Sullivan County for survivors.
For more information, please visit our website at www.turningpointsnetwork.org or find us on Facebook.
OUR TURN is a public service series by Turning Points Network (TPN) serving all of Sullivan County with offices in Claremont and Newport. We provide wraparound supports for survivors of domestic and sexual violence, stalking and human trafficking and we present violence-prevention education programs in our schools. For more than 40 years, TPN has helped people of all ages move from the darkness of abuse toward the light of respect, healing and hope.
For information contact 1.800.639.3130 or www.turninqpointsnetwork.org or find us on Facebook.
TPN Crisis and Support Line: 800-639-3130
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233
National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-656-4673
Learn more: www.nsvrc.org/saam
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