Triumph over tragedy: Author shares her story of survival

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A e book launch was held in an uncommon location to assist others coping with home abuse.

We attended Friday’s occasion at a neighborhood rage room the place Felina Martin shared her story of survival.

Inside the final yr, we’ve reported on not less than 4 instances the place a husband killed his spouse. Greater than 2,000 home violence instances are prosecuted yearly, based on town.

Once we hear home violence, our minds could flip to bodily assault, however that’s just one piece of the puzzle. It’s the emotional abuse that comes earlier than bodily. It could be a very long time earlier than that occurs, nevertheless it’s a threat issue that doesn’t get talked about sufficient.

“I used to be a survivor. After I made the choice that it was a state of affairs I used to be now not going to simply accept that for my life,” mentioned Martin.

And right here, life will not be taken without any consideration.

“I truly find yourself taking a step again and being grateful for my life proper now. That’s what received me by way of from chapter to chapter,” mentioned Martin.

And this e book isn’t any fairytale.

“It looks like hell. However there may be the opposite facet of it. You would not have to remain in that hell,” she mentioned.

It’s a state of affairs far too many discover themselves in.

Jennifer Frantom is the SafeHomes improvement director. She mentioned, “Even when it hasn’t occurred to you, it’s very seemingly it’s occurred to somebody that you understand. Not less than in our shelter, and our hotline calls, we’re seeing an uptick. So I undoubtedly anticipate that we’re going to see greater than the variety of purchasers that we noticed final yr.”

Extra purchasers imply extra folks reaching out for assist.

“It takes about seven occasions for an individual to depart and return to the abusive accomplice earlier than having the ability to depart for good,” mentioned Frantom.

Leaving is the scariest half. Simply ask anybody right here.

Martin mentioned: “It took 10 years of constructing the braveness to show my story.”

Every story is totally different however the celebrations are the identical.

“Celebrating that overcome the tragedy or that season of hell that you simply’ve skilled. We’re celebrating the success. We’re celebrating desires. We’re additionally doing it in a wholesome method.”

Safehomes has a 24-hour disaster hotline, 706-736-2499, or textual content START to 88788, a 30-day shelter, and there’s additionally a Nationwide Home Violence Hotline, 800-799-7233.

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