A Triad woman opened up to WXII 12 News and shared how domestic violence impacted her life, hoping her story will be able to raise awareness on the issue, and help others who are struggling.STATISTICS ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE:WXII 12 News talked with Johnny Johnson with Family Services to better understand this topic.According to the organization's statistics:Forsyth County: 35% of women in the County experience some sort of intimate partner violence in their lifetimeDomestic violence homicides in Winston-Salem have increased three times from the last pre-COVID-19 yearThe number of crisis-line calls Family Services received has increased 67% from the previous yearFamily Services supported 1,281 victims in-person for crisis intervention, safety planning, and support groups in the last yearFamily Services Domestic Violence Shelter helped 195 women and children last year Family Services helped 129 children through the Family Justice Center last yearNorth Carolina:In 2020, 134 victims of domestic violence-related homicide were reported — a 24% increase from the previous year43.9% of North Carolina women experience intimate partner-physical violence, intimate partner sexual violence, and/or intimate partner stalking in their lifetime19.3% of North Carolina men experience intimate partner-physical violence, intimate partner sexual violence, and/or intimate partner stalking in their lifetimeOn average, North Carolina domestic violence hotlines receive 21,000 calls a day (15 calls every minute)Intimate partner violence accounts for 15% of all violent crimes in North Carolina72% of all murder-suicides involve an intimate partner94% of all victims are femaleUnited States:One in three women have experiences of some form of physical violence by an intimate partnerOne in four men have experiences of some form of physical violence by an intimate partnerOn average, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner (during one year, this is equivalent to 10 million people)Every nine seconds, a woman is assaulted or beatenIntimate partner violence accounts for 15% of all violent crimes19% of domestic violence involves a weaponCollege:43% of college women who are dating report experiences of some violent and abusive dating behaviors, including physical, sexual, tech, verbal or controlling abuseOne in five college women (22%) report physical abuse, sexual abuse, or threats of physical violence57% of college students said it's difficult to identify dating abuse58% of college students said they do not know how to help someone who is a victim of dating abuseMore than 40% of LGBTQ+ college students report they have experienced interpersonal violence in their current relationshipsARLENE ADAMS:WXII 12 News talked with Arlene Adams of The Triad.Adams opened up and shared how domestic violence has impacted, and continues to impact her and her family's life.Adams said she grew up in Brooklyn, New York, where she met her partner at the time, Jamel Smith, who would later be the father of two of her children.She said she began dating Smith when she was 15 years old.Beginning in 2009, she said her partner would often hurt her physically and emotionally. "I remember the fear of being choked and being pinned against the wall," she shared. "I remember a time where he was too strong for me."Adams said she wanted her kids to grow up with their parents together. She said she loved him, and relied on him for financial and emotional support. She often felt no one would believe her if she spoke out, Adams said, and that her partner convinced her at times that no one would believe her if she asked for help. "A lot of people won’t understand a victim’s mindset," Adams said. "They may call us stupid. They may think we have other choices, but sometimes you don’t see another choice. Or sometimes you think you’re making the best choice."In September of 2010, Adams said her partner came home one night, became aggressive, and hit her. She grabbed a knife, and told him to stop, she added, but he wouldn't.Adams said that's when she stabbed him in self-defense.Smith died that night."I love that man, I still do, regardless of what he did, but a lot of people won’t understand a victim’s mindset," Adams shared.Adams was found guilty of second-degree manslaughter, she said, and served two years in prison.She said, "I felt humiliated and embarrassed that I was now the perpetrator, and I was being victimized all over again."To this day, Adams said her experience with domestic violence is still impacting her life.She said despite her background, experience, degree, and explaining her situation to employers, many would often pass on her because of her record.Adams said she has work experience in social services, and often worked with foster children in New York, helping them with their mental health.In the past week and a half, she shared she was denied by 10 different employers. She added the rejections would often impact her mentally and emotionally."I have an education. I have knowledge, and I have experience to help this world, and I’m constantly being rejected because what it says in black and white constantly," she said. "It’s humiliating."However, Adams told WXII 12 News she is not going to give up. She said she wants to teach her children a valuable lesson by the way she responds to adversity. She also wants to help other people who are struggling with domestic violence, Adams added.Adams said she encourages people to not judge victims, but to show grace and compassion. She added, "telling someone, why did you stay? Or why did it take so long? I would say that is the wrong term to use to a victim. It’s like victimizing that victim all over again, to explain why they stayed when sometimes they don’t understand why they stayed."Adams shared the following message to those who need help:"To the victims. There’s hope. You’re not alone," she shared. If you know someone who is struggling, Adams said "be kind to those people. You never know if you could save their life."If you'd like to contact Adams, please email WXII 12's Louie Tran at Louie.Tran@hearst.com, and he will connect you with her. Adams said she is willing to talk with others.UPCOMING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE EVENT:Leaders with Family Services will hold an in-person film screening and talk on Monday, Oct. 25 at 6 p.m. They said the event will feature "And So I Stayed," along with a panel of guest speakers who will talk about domestic violence. Adams will be a guest speaker at the event.The event is free, and donations are welcomed.If you're interested, you must register. Please click here for more details."This film is important because right here in Winston-Salem, we know that domestic violence deaths during the last year are three times what they were before the pandemic," said Michelle Speas, vice president of Family Services. "We know that for far too many women and children in our community, the most dangerous place in their lives is their home. We also know that the most dangerous time in a victim’s life is when they decide to leave. This event is important because it reminds us that we should not be OK with any of that.”FAMILY SERVICES:Family Services is a nonprofit organization serving Forsyth County, North Carolina, by "providing professional services and participating in partnerships that foster the development of children, advance the safety, security, and success of families, and individuals, and help build a sustainable community."The organization is located at 1200 S. Broad Street in Winston-Salem. To learn more about Family Services, please click here.RESOURCES: If you know someone who is struggling with domestic violence, please let them know about the following available services:Family Services:Toll-free number: 1 (800) 316-5513Crisis line: (336) 723-8125Email: info@familyservicesforsyth.orgAddress: 1200 S. Broad Street Winston-SalemPlease click here for the websiteNational Domestic Violence Hotline:The National Domestic Violence Hotline provides essential tools and support to help survivors of domestic violence so they can live their lives free of abuse.Number to call: 1 (800) 799-7233Number to text: Text "START" to 88788Please click here for the website or for online chatLove is Respect:Love is Respect is the national resource to disrupt and prevent unhealthy relationships and intimate partner violence by empowering young people through inclusive and equitable education, support, and resources.Number to call: 1 (866) 331-9474Number to text: Text "LOVEIS" to 22522Please click here for the website and online chatRAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network):RAINN is the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization. RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline in partnership with more than 1,000 local sexual assault service providers across the country and operates the DoD Safe Helpline for the Department of Defense. Number to call: 1 (800) 656-4673Please click here for the website and online chat North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence:NCCADV leads the state’s movement to end domestic violence, and to enhance work with survivors.Address: 3710 University Drive, Suite 140 Durham, NC 27707Number to call: (919) 956-9124Please click here for the website and online messagingGuilford County Family Justice Center (FJC): FJC is a “one-stop shop” for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, and elder abuse. Under one roof, 45 professionals from 14 different disciplines work together to provide consolidated and coordinated safety, legal, social, and health services to individuals and families in need.Address: 201 S. Greene St., 2nd Floor Greensboro, NC 27401Number to call: (336) 641-7233Please click here for more details