BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – “There were many warning signs that I either ignored or I just didn’t know those were warning signs,” said Jennifer Taylor of Buffalo.
Taylor says it was a slow build up that eventually escalated to stalking. She says she was too scared and ashamed to tell anyone.
“I woke up the morning that I was attacked knowing that I was going to die. I knew that I couldn’t do it anymore and that was it. I wasn’t going to fight it anymore,” said Taylor.
Taylor is not alone. According to national statistics 1 in 3 women have been victims of some form of physical violence by a partner.
“The definition is one word: control. One person controlling every aspect of another person’s life. They do that through an array of highly effective methods. Violence, the threat of violence,” said Mary Murphy, Family Justice Center Executive Director.
The Family Justice Center helps women break free, while keeping everything confidential.
“We have domestic violence advocates who can safety plan, we actually Skype with the judges on the bench in Family Court for orders of protection right from our Family Justice Center location,” said Murphy.
Taylor says she’s found her voice through the Family Justice Center, and has now made it her mission to help women overcome the same kind of abuse she did.
“I did a lot of trauma based therapy, it was a key component in healing. There’s a lot of judgment, there’s just a lot of pain that comes with that and shame. So I want us to break free from that,” said Taylor.
For more information on the Family Justice Center go to this link: https://www.fjcsafe.org/
You can also call and email the following: 716-558-7233
safe@fjcsafe.org