CINCINNATI -- For Beth Stelling, dark bruises were the source of dark comedy.
The Oakwood, Ohio native made a deeply personal admission on social media that she is a survivor of domestic violence.
"It's embarrassing," Stelling wrote. "I feel stupid. After being verbally, physically abused and raped, I dated him for two more months. It's not simple."
For Beth Stelling, dark bruises were the source of dark comedy.
Kristin Shrimplin, president of Women Helping Women, hopes Stelling's public admission can open the door to more dialogue.
"I think any time a survivor tells their story and their truth, when they're comfortable telling that story, when they're the ones driving that narrative, when it's their words, their choice, it's powerful," Shrimplin said.
Stelling said her abuser was a now-ex-boyfriend; Shrimplin said that's not uncommon, as abusers are most likely to be in a close relationship with their victims.
"The message is this: Survivors are not responsible for the violence and abuse that they experience," Shrimplin said.
Local resources for people experiencing domestic violence include:
The YWCA of Greater Cincinnati, 898 Walnut St., Cincinnati (513) 241-7090
Safe Passage, multiple locations, Batesville, Indiana: 812-933-1990
Eve Center, multiple locations, Greater Cincinnati, 513-985-9959
Women Helping Women, 215 E. 9th Street, Cincinnati, 513-977-5541
Women's Crisis Center of Northern Kentucky: Multiple locations: (859) 491-3335
