A
woman from the Bronx is putting together a documentary to tell the stories of
women who have survived abuse and to raise awareness about domestic violence.
According to the World Health
Organization, one in every three women have experienced physical or sexual
violence at least once in their lifetime.
Bronx
resident Judi Polanco says domestic violence was a very real concern for her
from a young age.
"I
grew up in an environment where my mom was physically and verbally abused by my
dad in front of my brothers and I," she says.
Polanco is sharing her story
as she launches a documentary on domestic violence called "She Survived."
"Women are getting
attacked by their significant other or by somebody in their home, but we're not
doing more about it," Polanco says.
The
documentary will tell the stories of 10 survivors from the city.
Marqui
Smith is one of the women involved in the project. She says her abuse started
when she was a teen and it continue for many years.
"Feeling like my young
boyfriend was in charge of everything, like my clothes and my food,"
Smith says. "I've been
in quite a few abusive relationships because it became my norm."
Polanco is working with a New
York-based cinematographer for the project. She started a campaign on
Indiegogo with a goal of $15,000.
Polanco says she's determined get the
project completed by fall.
"As a mom and as a woman, I feel that
I don't want my daughters to grow up thinking that it's OK that it's the norm
to be a victim of domestic violence because they're women," she says.