Ignite Her fights against domestic violence in Largo

LARGO, Fla. (WFLA) — The dozens of women who attended Sunday’s Ignite Her empowerment class in Largo all shared a common fear, that someone might try to hurt them.

It’s why Tiffiny Newton created the organization ‘Ignite Her.’

“I got out of my domestic violence situation 5 years ago and finally had a chance to talk about it,” Newton said.

Newton knows firsthand what it’s like to be hurt and feel stuck.

“As I started sharing my story with other women, they started telling me their stories and it just ignited something inside of me that there just needs to be more out there to help women,” Newton said.

Ignite Her is a non-profit organization all about spreading domestic violence awareness.

“I was so full of shame and guilt,” Newton said.

Ignite Her classes like the one on Sunday morning at the Southwest Recreation Complex in Largo help teach women like Amber Summerz self-defense and that they’re not alone.

“The faster you open up or you share your story, or even to your immediate friend circle and group share with them what’s going on, you’ll realize that there is a world outside of it,” Summerz said.

Summerz was abused by her father and then later by her boyfriend.

“Not a lot of us know what to do in a situation where someone’s overpowering you and it doesn’t always have to do with being in a relationship,” Summerz said. “It could be you’re walking home by yourself, or you’re out at a grocery store, how do you protect yourself as woman?”

She said it’s better to know now before it’s too late.

“If someone is strangled, they are 750% more likely to also be murdered by that same person,” Newton said. “So strangling techniques are so important to know how to get out of.”

How to get out of a chokehold and how to get off the ground if someone’s pinning you down are a couple of the takeaways from Sunday’s Ignite Her class.

“This is our fourth one and we’re not stopping yet,” Newton said.

People of all ages are welcome to join.

Click here for a link to the Ignite Her website to stay up-to-date with their upcoming events.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.