<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0Rz5PV_0vlJuguO00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0Rz5PV_0vlJuguO00" width="1320" height="743" >PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, Md. (7News) — Alicia Stukes knows her story is important for so many other people who went through what she experienced in her marriage, which is why she proudly wears a shirt emblazoned with the message, "This is what a survivor looks like."She took the stage to share her story and let other domestic violence survivors know what resources are available to them during the Prince George's County Sheriff's Office's 11th annual Purple Light Nights on Thursday."I am a survivor," Stukes said. "My ex-husband literally went from being a prince to a beast, a monster. Our relationship became very inflated with not only verbal abuse but physical abuse, emotional abuse, psychological abuse. Because of the fact I was able to leave and leave safely with the help of law enforcement, I was able to get out of that abusive marriage but also get to a safe space and place."Domestic violence has continued to climb in Prince George's County this year, despite total crime dropping compared to last year.This year, total crime is down 10% but domestic violence is up 16%.Prince George's County Sheriff John Carr said his office is working to drive down these numbers, but will need to help educate the public about what domestic violence is in order to make any change."We're trying to fight and eradicate domestic violence here within Prince George's County, but really throughout the state," Carr said. "Education is, one, going to be able to look at the signs and understand what domestic violence is. When you're in a domestic violence situation, do you really understand this person is not being physically abusive toward you, but maybe emotionally, maybe verbally abusing you?"Stukes said the education component is important.She said many survivors may not know they are in an abusive relationship."Sometimes, abuse gets swept up under the rug because the initial response is, 'He didn't punch me. He shoved me.' That's still a form of abuse," Stukes said. "Sometimes, relationships are in what we call, 'honeymoon periods,' where it's verbal abuse, it's other types of forms that then lead up to physical abuse and the victim is basically cloaking it because they still feel some type of attachment to that relationship, and in so many cases denial about the fact they're actually in an abusive relationship."Part of the education, according to Carr, is understanding all of the forms domestic violence takes."Right now, we're seeing more than just intimate partners. We're actually seeing family violence," Carr said. "If you're having issues at home with your son, daughter, or somebody in your family, that still can be considered domestic violence."Earlier this week, a Prince George's County mother was arrested for allegedly shooting her teenage daughter.At Thursday night's event, nonprofit organizations and advocacy groups provided information and resources available to survivors."You have survivors, you have nonprofit organizations, you have other law enforcement organizations all gathering here today to say you don't need to suffer in silence and that we can work together to try to end this problem," Carr said. "You look at reasons why, such as mental health, such as financial restrictions with people who were working and are not working now. We want to make sure we're providing those additional resources to eradicate domestic violence."Stukes, herself, has become an advocate for her own group, I'm Bruised But Not Broken."We provide resources and services to individuals who are experiencing domestic violence," Stukes said. "It's about advocacy, it's about awareness, and now prevention."Moving forward, Stukes told 7News there needs to be even more education about domestic violence."There's just so much more work that needs to be done," Stukes said. "I think it just involves getting into our communities, starting to have discussions about healthy relationships - what that looks like - to get into our schools with our youth because we are starting to see our young teenagers starting to demonstrate power and control tendencies where they are abusive to dating partners."In the meantime, she encouraged people at Thursday night's event to utilize the resources being made available."Reach out to organizations that provide resources. Talk to someone. Have a discussion so that they can help you identify whether or not you're actually in an abusive relationship," Stukes said. "I know what's being offered here can save lives."The Anne Arundel County Sheriff's Office will hold a Purple Light Nights event on September 30, with the Charles County Sheriff's Office hosting an event on October 1.If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, call the Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.</div></body>

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Prince George's County Sheriff's Office, domestic violence survivors spread awareness

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, Md. (7News) — Alicia Stukes knows her story is important for so many other people who went through what she experienced in her marriage, which is why she proudly wears a shirt emblazoned with the message, \"This is what a survivor looks like.\" She took the...

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, Md. (7News) — Alicia Stukes knows her story is important for so many other people who went through what she experienced in her marriage, which is why she proudly wears a shirt emblazoned with the message, "This is what a survivor looks like." She took the...