Kandi's Heroic Escape From Domestic Violence That Will Inspire You

October is a jam-packed month that's filled with Fall activities around Halloween. This is when all the haunted houses, corn mazes, pumpkin spice latte madness begins, sports begin to heat up, and breast cancer awareness month introduces a plethora of pink. This is one of the most fun, emotional and freaky months of the year. That's not all.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month is also in October. Think about all those things I mentioned. You can tie a pretty purple ribbon and dress up the seriousness of domestic violence all you want. I mean, maybe you can for all the survivors but I don't think we're there yet. Violence is serious and the destruction that follows can go unnoticed. Abuse in the home also presents a very unmeasurable mental result that nobody talks about. Domestic violence is extremely dangerous and it's imperative that we call attention to it.

The Burning Bed

When I was a kid there was tv movie called, The Burning Bed starring the 80's blonde sensation from Charlie's Angels, Farrah Fawcett. This was a controversial movie because it was pretty graphic for 1984 and it was a family movie in a time that domestic violence was still in full force. The storyline is about an abused woman who burns her husband to death in the same bed that he rapes her in. I'm not implying anything - just reflecting on a memory. This show uncovered the dirty mask of domestic violence. I've seen my mom get beat up by her boyfriend and both of them wrestling over a revolver. I remember that he would get angry and then clinch down on his finger with his teeth which was then followed by a rampage. I remember his face. I remember his expression. I remember everything as if it were paused. Domestic violence is an epidemic and the amount of mental abuse that coincides with this destruction is unreal. The sadness is that it's REAL.

Statistics

1 in 3 women experiences sexual assault or domestic violence.
1 in 6 men experiences sexual abuse before 18.
65% say nobody helped them.

Meet Kandi.

I met Kandi during our annual child abuse prevention event and she's definitely an inspiration. This is a woman who finally got out of her abusive marriage and started living again. I can't even imagine living like that for one and this woman did it for over 20 years. Listen to her story and understand that you don't have to go alone in this. Nobody should abuse you and it's NEVER okay. Get out. Leave. Find help. Tell someone until SOMEONE listens. You will survive. Start living now. This is Kandi's story.

If you or someone you know is in an abusive situation please call these hotlines or visit the Women's and Children's Alliance.

24-hour Domestic Violence Hotline (208) 343-7025

24-hour Rape Crisis Hotline (208) 345-7273