LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Six women have turned their pain into purpose.
Officer Amber Ross and five other women are sharing their stories of the domestic abuse they've experienced, hoping their second chance will help save other lives.
"There was a time to where I was literally choked to where I was unconscious, there was times where I was like dear God please don't let this be the last moment because I have a child to take care of," Ross said.
She said it's easy to be caught up by the charm and the love bombing which is a form of grooming to get victims stuck in what they think is true love.
"By that time, I was just stuck and I was embarrassed. I was ashamed of what I was going through and I was too scared to speak up and speak out about it," Ross added.
Now she and others are taking their power back making a difference in other people's lives.
"Domestic violence has no face, literally no face at all unfortunately Black women do have the higher rate of domestic violence but I want to continue to bring awareness," Ross said.
Domestic violence comes in different forms. National statistics show 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have experienced some form of physical violence by an intimate partner.
"He also beat my mother and pretty brutally as well," Ify Witfill said.
As a child, Witfill seen her mother abused by her father. She is speaking out to show those in the same shoes they can make it.
"It takes a lot of healing and a lot of mental capacity to not allow yourself to be a victim," Witfill said.
Here's their message to those currently in domestic relationships.
"There is light at the end of the tunnel,” Witfill said.
Ross added, "You can thrive and you can survive."
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