A significant portion, estimated at anywhere from one-third to one-half, of the world’s population is involved in serious relationships or marriages. Sadly, within these romantic relationships, a distressing amount of violence occurs, leading to tens of thousands of cases of domestic violence each day.
One recent victim of domestic violence is Kerry Armstrong, who suffered severe abuse at the hands of her long-time husband, Gary Peoples, in the United Kingdom. In an effort to bring about positive change, Kerry Armstrong is using the limited media coverage she has received in the past few days to emphasize the importance of victims reporting domestic violence incidents to the appropriate law enforcement agencies routinely.
Kerry, a mother to a 13-year-old girl and a 3-year-old boy, courageously intervened to protect her son when Peoples attacked her. Following the assault on Kerry, Peoples also assaulted her 13-year-old daughter, who is not related by blood.
Despite desperately wanting to seek help from law enforcement and neighbors immediately after the attack, Kerry was forcibly prevented from leaving her residence by Gary. It was only after several hours that she managed to escape through a window. With her car keys in hand, she drove a short distance to her mother’s home. Her brother, who was present at her mother’s house, promptly contacted the police upon seeing the extent of Kerry’s injuries, which included severe facial swelling and bruising.
Fortunately for society, Gary Peoples has been arrested and charged with domestic violence. He has since been sentenced to a 20-month prison term in one of the United Kingdom’s most stringent correctional facilities.
This sentencing is seen as a fitting consequence of his actions. By sharing Kerry Armstrong’s story and her message on social media or with family, colleagues, and friends, individuals can play a crucial role in encouraging other domestic violence victims to find the strength to report their abusers to law enforcement, medical professionals, or relevant authorities.
