One Colorado woman knows firsthand what it’s like to experience domestic violence. She was kidnapped by her boyfriend after she tried to break up with him. He beat her, causing her to suffer a broken rib, she says. The incident naturally led to other problems.
The woman says she considered herself to be a strong person, and it occurred to her that such abuse could happen to any woman. So she decided to do something about it.
According to 9 News, the woman started a nonprofit called Courage is Change, through which she hopes to stop domestic abuse by teaching in the community.
Aside from two public service announcements, the organization has a “red tents clubs” program, which is designed to help women grow stronger through yoga, self-defense and lots of other things.
The woman hopes to expand the program to schools throughout Colorado, with the help of students at the University of Colorado, who serve as mentors. She also hopes to open a Red Tent center, which would serve as a wellness center for women of all ages, she says. However, for that to happen, she still needs funding and sponsors, and to find the right location.
When women who’ve experienced domestic violence speak out like this, one can hope it will inspire others to do the same. Every nine seconds in this country, a woman is a victim of domestic violence.
Both of Courage for Change’s public service announcements end with the same message, which is, “It stops with me.”
Source: 9 News, Liz Oster, “January 2012 9Who Care winner, looks to end abuse, violence though education, community,” Natalie Pallone, Jan. 6, 2012