Survivor raising awareness about domestic violence

Survivors and advocates are coming together to raise awareness about domestic violence.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

During a symposium on the issue Thursday, Doris Rivera-Black shared her story. The former El Paso County Deputy Sheriff suffered domestic violence at the hands of her now ex-husband.

“After we were married, he began to subtly change, and display a lot of power and control tactics. He never hit me, however there was a lot of psychological manipulation, a lot of emotional abuse,” she said.

Rivera-Black ended the relationship and sought a restraining order. He went after her.

“He kidnapped me a week later at gunpoint and sexually assaulted me, and I was able by the grace of God to get away that night and to get back to safety, and he is now in prison.”

Rivera-Black’s story will now be available to a wider audience. Her book, “Clothed in Strength was published this month.”

“At first when I began to write this, I have to admit that it was difficult, because it felt like it was being sketched in stone, but as I wrote, healing began to come from that,” she said.

She wants to give others hope.

“If you’ve been through domestic violence, there is hope in your healing. If you’re in it now, there is hope to get you to safety,” she said. “You don’t deserve to be treated that way.”