Farmington, NM – A local survivor of domestic violence will share her courageous story with the community during a presentation on April 24 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Sycamore Park Community Center. The presentation is part of the Farmington Police Department’s “Choices” series. The first presentation took place in January of this year and featured former gang member, Jorge Cuevas.

Domestic violence, also called intimate partner violence, is experienced by individuals and families nationwide. The abusive tactics used by a partner to control another can include physical, sexual and emotional violence as well as economic abuse and use of children to manipulate the victim into staying in the relationship. An estimated one in three women and one in four men have been victims of some form of physical violence by an intimate partner during their lifetime. One in 15 children are exposed to intimate partner violence each year and 90 percent of these children are eyewitnesses to this violence.

During this free public event, the presenter will give a first-hand account of living with an abuser and how she was finally able to escape. A victim advocate and detective with the Farmington Police Department will provide an overview and local statistics of domestic violence. Representatives from local organizations will be available to provide resources to individuals in need of services.

*Media is welcome to attend the event. However, the presenter has requested that her name not be used is stories and that she not be photographed from the front.