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Domestic violence victim in Imperial County speaks out

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) - According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men have been victims of severe physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime.

One Imperial County woman is sharing her story and how she's recovering years after her she was abused in hopes of helping other local victims caught in the vicious cycle.

Elvira Herrera recalls the moment she was lifeless on a hospital bed in Indio. 

"He picked me up, throws me against the wall, he had the shotgun, he fired it but I hit the barrel," she said.

Miraculously Herera says the bullet hit between her feet.

"He hits me pretty hard and knocks me down to the floor and that's when he did the first rape," she said.

Herrera says in the middle of all that trauma her then-husband receives a phone call from their 17-year-old son.
Herrera pleading to talk to her son one final time.

"When they were little, I would teach him to talk in codes, and I told them if I was in trouble I'll talk to you crazy," she said.

"That day he was like mom did I hear you right, do you need help? I said yeah son, can you bring me some ice. He said he already had 9-11 on the line," she added.

That phone call saved Herera's life.  Now 12 years after the horrifying abuse, Herrera hopes to help other women by sharing her experience.

"People might judge us but we only know why we stay in that relationship but do not be afraid to speak up," she said.

Womanhaven, a domestic violence center in Imperial County reminds us of the warning signs.

Most signs include a  sudden change in behavior, acting distant, and even physical marks on one's body. 

Herera however says forgiveness is what helped her heal through a tough journey. 

"I had to ask the judge to let me see him face to face, and I looked at him and I told him, I forgive you, cause once I walk out those doors, the life that I had with you stays here and the chains that I carry I pass them on to you cause those are the ones you have now," she said.

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Wiley Jawhary

Wiley Jawhary is from Orange County California. He joined KYMA/KSWT in April of 2021.

Reach out to Wiley with story ideas and tips at wiley.jawhary@kecytv.com.

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