During the past couple of weeks, I have heard three different domestic violence stories.  The first story involved an off duty Detroit police officer that fatally shot his wife and then himself.  Another was of a Sterling Heights woman that was stabbed to death by her husband.  Although these stories upset me very much, it was another that touched me deeply.  This past week a young lady by the name of Sarah Williams-Horn was killed by her husband.  She was beaten, run over and left for dead.  However, she didn’t die until later upon arriving at the hospital.  What did each of these women have in common? They were all mothers that left children behind.

Sarah’s story affects me personally because many of my friends and family members knew Sarah.  She was a beautiful person—a wonderful, loving mother to her young daughter, Mariah.  At 28, Sarah was taken away much too soon.  Her family, friends and acquaintances will suffer because of her death.

I don’t know what happened that morning.  I don’t know what would possess her husband to “snap” and commit such a crime.  It doesn’t matter why he did it.  No one deserves to die like this.  All that matters is that she is gone and her daughter does not have her mother.  Why is this continually happening?

I’ve heard of being “scared straight” to deter drug use, crime and alcohol use but what about domestic violence? Maybe we need to start showing our kids pictures of women that have been beaten, killed and tortured.  Maybe these pictures would make a difference.

I’m not speaking from inexperience.  I’ve been there.  I was one of the lucky ones.  I got away.  I survived.  I have learned some very important lessons from my experience: Love does not hurt.  A person that truly loves you would never do you harm.  Many times we believe that a violent, abusive person will change-that we can change them.  However, it just isn’t true.  Most people who abuse others are sick.  They need treatment.  If you have a partner that is controlling, jealous, violent, or abusive in any way, RUN! Do not allow your children to witness such torment or to be left without their parent.  We must start making a difference today or the violence will never end.

I dedicate this piece to Sarah Williams-Horn and all the other beautiful women that lost their lives too soon.  To all the children left behind, may God bless you and watch over you.  My only hope is that this information will touch the life of at least one person and make a difference to many.

“Love is patient and kind.  Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way.  Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged.  It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.  Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.”   (1 Corinthians 13: 4-7 NLT)

Author: Rhonda Gutierrez