A Desperate Escape
After hours of torment, Alexis’s ex-boyfriend made her drive to an outlet mall, where he planned to buy ski pants. When he left the car, Alexis saw her chance to escape. Despite the danger, she drove directly to a police station for help. “Leaving was the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make,” Alexis said. “But I knew it was all or nothing.”
The police quickly launched a search, using dogs and a helicopter to track down her ex-boyfriend. He was eventually arrested, and Alexis began the long process of healing.
The Aftermath and the Road to Recovery
In the aftermath of the attack, Alexis sought refuge with her parents and close friends. Her parents took extensive measures to ensure her safety, installing security cameras, bolting her windows shut, and even offering to move. Alexis also began intensive therapy, which she credits with helping her heal from the trauma.
“I was in therapy for about a year and a half, almost two years,” Alexis said. “Therapy helped me a lot, and I definitely advocate for anyone who’s been through an abusive relationship to go to therapy because it changes the way your mind works.”
Despite the challenges, Alexis has found strength in sharing her story. “I knew that either I could sit with it and live with it quietly, or I could talk about it,” she said. “I wanted people to know my story.”
Advocating for Others
Today, Alexis uses her experience to advocate for others who have suffered from domestic violence. “Through sharing my story and advocating for survivors and victims of domestic violence, I’ve healed a lot,” she said. Her story has inspired others to leave abusive relationships, seek help, and begin their own journeys of healing.
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Alexis emphasizes that domestic violence can happen to anyone and that leaving an abusive relationship is often the most dangerous time for a victim. “There’s huge stigma around people who experience domestic violence,” she said. “But it could happen to anyone.”
Her ex-boyfriend ultimately took a plea deal for first-degree kidnapping and was sentenced to seven years in prison. Although the domestic abuse charges were dropped, Alexis is satisfied with the outcome. “He’s a convicted felon,” she said. “Anytime he goes to get a job, they’re going to see that he went to prison for first-degree kidnapping.”
A Message of Hope
Alexis’s story is a testament to the strength and resilience of survivors. By sharing her experience, she hopes to raise awareness about the realities of domestic violence and encourage others to seek help. Her journey from victim to advocate is a powerful reminder that, even in the darkest of times, there is hope for a brighter future.
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic abuse, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline 24/7 by calling 800-799-7233 or you can text 88788.
