October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
To bring awareness, survivors and local leaders, many of whom are survivors themselves, gathered at the Milwaukee County Courthouse.
They encouraged victims to break the cycle and to not be afraid to come forward for help
One speaker survived physical and mental abuse from her husband of 20 years.
"But I'm here. I broke the silence and I'm still alive. I lost everything that I owned but you know I'm still here to tell my story," Crissy Kimbrough said.
Milwaukee County Board Supervisor Sequanna Taylor announced that October 20 is National Purple Thursday. She encouraged everyone to wear purple to bring awareness to domestic violence.
Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm said the county offers several free services to prevent domestic violence.
Nationwide, more than one in three women and one in four men have experienced rape, sexual violence, physical violence, psychological violence, and or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime. In Wisconsin in 2015 domestic violence claimed the lives of 58 women, men, and children.
TODAY'S TMJ4 has partnered with the Sojourner Family Peace Center for a phone bank. Volunteers will take calls from anyone who may need help. The phone bank will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 17.
