INDIANAPOLIS — When reading from her own book about her real-life experiences, Danyette Smith is left feeling emotional and even strengthened at the same time. She now feels safe.
But the impact of domestic violence has almost no limit and will always run deep for her. Especially since she knows she's not alone as a victim.
"That makes me feel terrified for them," Smith said.
Danyette is a domestic violence survivor who has taken back control of her life and future. Her story includes the words, "with the gun on the TV stand, he got up."
Smith is one of the authors of the book titled, "When a Woman's Fed Up." In the book, she shares details of her abusive relationship. She shared years of photos with 13News showing her bright smile. But behind the smiles and her Hollywood-style sunglasses, abuse escalated, leaving Danyette feeling her life was at stake.
"It wasn't until a gun was put to my head that I knew that death could be knocking at my door," said Smith.
Danyette feels the right door opened when her college professor helped her with an escape plan. But doors like that don't always open for domestic violence victims in many cases. In fact, a recent report shows that the number of homicides connected to domestic violence has trended up. That includes the months identified as pandemic months related to the spread of COVID-19.
That's why advocates feel like they need action, based on a recent report.
Kelly McBride, executive director of the Domestic Violence Network, and her staff have developed a game plan to address the number of homicides connected to domestic violence. McBride told 13News that nationally when a gun is involved in domestic disturbances that the chances of it having a deadly result increase by 500%. But she is even more concerned about what their recent report shows when it comes to local cases of guns connected to domestic violence cases resulting in deaths.
"In 2018 and 2019 we had 65% of our domestic violence homicides used a gun," she said. "Then in 2020 we saw 73% of domestic violence homicides, a gun was used."
McBride feels their campaign can get judges and lawmakers on the same page about guns used in domestic violence. She believes Indiana has the laws needed to help curb deadly domestic violence, but those laws need better enforced to help change the culture.
"It makes me feel angry and sad because it's preventable," said McBride.
Preventable is how Danyette feels, too, especially from the feeling she gets from reading her own words.
Another excerpt from her book includes her writing, "I couldn't see the future. I feared for my life."
Both McBride and Smith urge anyone in an abusive relationship to reach out for help. A successful way towards survivors includes an escape plan from the abuser, who often holds their victim hostage using emotional abuse, financial dependency, and even threatening self-harm, as in Smith's case.
Danyette and her co-author's book is available on Amazon. She hopes their words are powerful enough to spark victims to pick up the telephone and call for help. Meanwhile, help shelters like The Julian Center and organizations that partner with law enforcement agencies like the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department are available with resources 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.