Tuesday, May 21 2013 12:18 PM EDT2013-05-21 16:18:28 GMT
Three people were inside this burning home but managed to get out safely.
Firefighters are battling a massive fire in East Bank in Kanawha County. A house on Walnut Street went up in flames around 5:15 a.m. Firefighters said two people were home at the time but managed to
Three escape massive fire in a home on Walnut Street in Kanawha County
One out of every three women is a victim of domestic abuse and according to the National Organization for Women, every nine seconds a woman is beaten.
The YWCA in Charleston is hosting an event on Thursday, Aug. 9 designed to help break the cycle. It's the annual Girls Night Out event, a fun night with a serious mission. The event raises money for the YWCA Resolve Family Abuse Program and Hope House. They provide shelter and services for victims of domestic violence and their children.
Paula Boothe survived years of domestic violence at the hands of her husband. "I was physically, mentally and financially abused," said Boothe. The mother of two has a master's degree in social work, but admits that was frozen with fear. "I truly thought that he would kill me if I tried to leave. I was scared to death and so it was easier to stay there and stay in that torment than try to leave."
The abuse escalated according to Boothe. Then one night, she realized that she had to get herself and her children away from the situation for good. "I was in the house and he was beating me and a calm came over me, and I decided that if I didn't leave he would kill me," said Boothe.
When she finally broke free, she said she relied on a shelter for help and support. "I could not have made it through the whole process without the protection of the shelter, living at the shelter," said Boothe. That's why she now advocates for domestic violence victims and works to help raise money to support services and shelters. "If it wasn't for the funding that they're able to raise at these events, then they wouldn't be able to help these women who need them."
Girls Night Out starts Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Sunrise Mansion in Charleston.
WOWK 13News is proud to be a partner with the YWCA for this year's Girl Night Out event. 13News anchor April Kaull will be greeting women at the door as they enter the event and providing coverage of the fundraiser throughout the evening.
Go online to ywcacharlesston.org or call 304-340-3557 for more information.
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