Washburn students tell their stories during DV awareness month

TOPEKA (KSNT) – “Speak Your Truth,” is an event put on by students for students at Washburn University, allowing domestic violence survivors to express themselves in a safe space.

Participants read poetry, sang, and shared tips with each other.

Students say tonight was a chance to connect through shared experiences.

“Growing up, it was a bit difficult, mostly just because I was homeless on and off throughout my childhood. And sometimes people come into your life and they’re not with the best intentions at all,” said Samarii Berry, a survivor of domestic violence. “So, in October, really, with domestic violence and everything, and sexual violence at any point, I see a lot of that. I know a lot of that. I hear a lot of that.”

“I’m very grateful that I went through what I went through because it taught me a lot about myself and taught me how to be a stronger person,” said Heaven Asebedo, a domestic violence survivor. “And now if somebody I know or I don’t know has the same situation, I know how to go about it, and I know how to encourage or just be there for that person because abusive relationships are hard. But leaving one is even more harder.”

According to data collected by Shawnee County, 2,195 domestic violence calls were made to law enforcement last year. The district attorney and the Topeka Municipal Court prosecuted 1,117 domestic violence cases in that same span.

The domestic violence hotline is available 24/7 at 1-800-799-SAFE.

For more resources, you can contact the National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence, the National Domestic Violence Hotline, and the Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence.

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