Community Unites To Stop Sexual Violence

People gathered on Thursday evening to ” Take Back the Night” an event to help raise awareness about sexual violence.

It was a very emotional evening with many people opening up about tragic stories regarding sexual violence.

One victim tells ABC seven she opens up hoping to one day end sexual violence. “My life has been a journey of healing.” Debra Puglisi-Sharp from Delaware travels nationally to talk about surviving a tragedy ten years ago. “My husband when he came home from his job was shot between the eyes and killed instantly. His body was hidden so that when I came into the home I was attacked raped and then abducted.”

After five days… she was able to get away. “My motivation was to survive for my children.” Organizers of the 16th annual “Take Back the Night” say the event is important to let victims know –there are places to go and people they can talk to.

“A lot of times when they’re violated. You kind of feel that their story is the only one and you’re silent about it,” said Sheryll Howard with UTEP’s women’s resource center.

Puglisi-sharp says it really does help tell others what happened. “I found that it’s very therapeutic to share my story, to reach out to other victims and to let others know that there is life after crime.”

STARS –The only rape crisis center is having the Carly Martinez 10th annual race for awareness on Saturday, November 1st.