A Survivor Finds Power in Her Voice
It’s National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and one survivor is sharing how she found strength and empowerment through self-defense training and by telling her story to others.
It’s National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and one survivor is sharing how she found strength and empowerment through self-defense training and by telling her story to others.
Rutland Towers resident Angie Pitts, a mother of three, experienced domestic violence at the hands of a former partner who verbally harassed her on numerous occasions and eventually physically assaulted her. Afterwards she sought out resources for herself and her children.
While she was at Safe Horizons, a nonprofit agency that provides support to victims of crime and abuse, Ms. Pitts saw a flyer for a five-week self-defense class at the Center for Anti-Violence Education (CAE), a nonprofit whose onsite and offsite violence prevention programs include education, physical empowerment, and leadership development. She signed up, not knowing CAE would end up becoming a second home.
“Ever since I took the self-defense class, I feel empowered and confident,” Ms. Pitts says. “Luckily, I haven’t had to use any of the physical techniques I’ve learned but I’ve done the verbal techniques and self-defense really taught me to speak up more, to use my voice.”
Ms. Pitts not only learned physical moves and practiced yelling loudly; she also learned about safety. That includes being aware of your surroundings, knowing how to negotiate with your attacker, knowing how to get away from your attacker, and knowing how to get help. CAE’s self-defense classes are free for domestic abuse, sexual assault and child abuse survivors, and child care is provided.
After the class ended, Ms. Pitts wanted to do more. She helped found a group at CAE called Survivors Action Network (SAN) which brings together survivors to “raise awareness of gender-based violence and to educate, uplift, and motivate— with prevention being the ultimate goal.” Through the group she has shared her story at high schools, health and community fairs, and special events on do- mestic violence awareness.
She also trained to become an apprentice self-defense instructor, assisting with self-defense classes on-site and at numerous organizations around the City.
Ms. Pitts enjoys this volunteer work because it’s a way for her to give back. Her advice to survivors is to speak out about their experiences and that those who are experiencing domestic violence should seek out resources: “There are so many resources out there, look for them. It’s not going to be easy but you are not in this alone.”