Survivor Stories

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  Survivor Story: Brigid Cox

  ‘Now I can breathe. I’m free’ | For 25 years, Brigid Cox thought the abuse she faced at the hands of her husband wasn’t that bad. “Even when he put a gun up to my h... read more

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  Survivor Story: Crystal Sanchez

  She’s using her experience with dating abuse as a teen to help adult survivors today | Crystal Sanchez is a survivor. But a decade after leaving her 8-year relationsh... read more

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  Survivor Story: Katelyn

  Mother's childhood domestic violence carried over to her children | Three years ago, Katelyn was the victim of a brutal assault, stabbed with a knife in her bac... read more

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  Survivor Story: Maralee McLean

  Her ex-husband committed the ultimate act of domestic violence when he sexually abused their daughter—and then got custody of her | Maralee McLean endured years of em... read more

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  Survivor Story: Amy Phoenix

  The struggle to end a marriage for good | Amy Phoenix could be considered a two-time survivor, a badge of honor that no one really wants to wear. Her first marriage... read more

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  Survivor Story: Caroline Abbott

  Her biggest regret is shielding her children from the truth | “The first years were good,” says Caroline Abbott of her 20-year marriage. It wasn’t until the last 10... read more

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  Survivor Story: Alyssa

  Looking back on her high school relationship, she knows she escaped an abusive future | Remember teenage love? All those wacky hormones and new feelings and butterf... read more

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  Survivor Story: Anna

  Enduring dating abuse in her 20s influenced what she wants her kids to know now | Dating someone in her 20s who was verbally and psychologically abusive isn’t somet... read more

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  Survivor Story: Beth Baumann

  This young college student didn’t realize she was raped until six weeks after it happened | Four years ago, Beth Baumann was a college freshman, 18 years old and aw... read more

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  Survivor Story: Nancy Virden

  'We don’t have to be defined by our history.' | As a child, Nancy Virden witnessed constant physical and emotional abuse that her father inflicted upon her ... read more

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  Survivor Story: Regina Rowley

  She couldn’t fight back against her father—now, she teaches women how to defend themselves | Her father’s typical implement of choice for disciplining her was a bel... read more

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  Survivor Story: One Abusive Husband Followed Another

  Nikki DeLaCruz wishes she would have seen the red flags earlier | Nikki DeLaCruz grew up with low self-esteem and little self-worth, the results of a trifecta of tr... read more

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  Survivor Story: Lorel Stevens

  Young, vulnerable and trusting, she lived through abuse hoping to find love | It started with comments about her clothing—her skirt was too short, and he didn’t wan... read more

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  Survivor Story: Jessica Houston

  How a once-stalked student is now helping other women with self-esteem issues | Jessica Houston was a bright teenager, despite her tumultuous childhood. She managed... read more

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  Survivor Story: Wendy*

  After 18 years of abuse, she found the strength to start her own business and author a book | They were driving to a wedding, from Michigan to South Carolina, when ... read more