Domestic Violence Victim Speaks Out

Pictures of her children give Amy Martinez hope. She keeps the pictures in her room at the YWCA of Northwest Louisiana. They're a reminder of where she's come from and where she wants to go.

"I married a gentleman who was very abusive. We were married about 6 years. He fractured my ribs, broke my jaw, dislocated my shoulder, and attempted to kill me in front of my children," Martinez said.

More than 3 million children witness domestic violence each year in the U.S. Amy lost three children at the hands of her abuser.

"I was pregnant about 8 months with my first son and he beat me so bad that I lost the child. I had to give birth to a dead baby. I was pregnant a total of 6 times with him and only had three that survived."

Ironically Amy says she stayed with her husband because of her children.

"I'd already fallen out of love with him but I was really concerned about my children. I was raised without parents so I wanted my children to have a father in their life."

Today Amy's children are living with family out-of-state while she works on making a new life for them and a new life for herself in Shreveport.

"There's a lot of good memories here in Shreveport. Since I've been here in the Y and the case workers have been helping me, I'm feeling a little bit more comfortable and it's a little bit homier," added Martinez.

This week marks the YWCA’s “Week Without Violence”. On Monday local law enforcement served warrants on many of the areas most wanted domestic violence offenders. A candlelight vigil is scheduled at Barksdale Air Force Base Thursday. On Friday, a panel of NFL players will be in Shreveport to talk about violence in sports. The “Week Without Violence” wraps up Saturday with a banquet honoring local women who've worked to end domestic violence.