Women unite to "Break the Cycle" of domestic violence

TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB) - Every 15 seconds, a woman somewhere in United States is affected by domestic violence.

But in the town of Tonawanda hundreds of people came together to "Break the Cycle" of domestic violence with a bike ride and walk fundraiser.

Many of the women who came to Saturday's event know all too well how dangerous it can be.

Peg Simons said, "I grew up in a large in loving family here in Buffalo. I went on to college, I had a middle manager job. And yet at home, I'll lived fearful of my husbands anger."

Peg described her situation as a roller coaster ride. The verbal abuse turned physical. One day when she didn't put the garden tools away the right way, it landed her in the hospital. After that, Peg knew she needed to make a change.
"It's hard to make that step forward, but if women can make that step forward, there's a life ahead of them that is peaceful, serene, and beyond belief," added Simons.

Renee Hickey said, "I was actually shot 8 times on July 30th 2009. My estranged boyfriend came through the front window while I was sleeping on the couch."

"I think we all think that this can't happen to me and the truth of the matter is it can happen. All the warning signs were there, it was a text book case and I just didn't listen," added Hickey.

The idea of this race came after Aasiya Hassan's brutal murder back into 2009. Sadly since her incident, in Erie County alone, 13 more women have lost their lives due to domestic violence.

Besides coming together, Saturday's event also tries to bring awareness of places to go, such as the Erie County Family Justice Center.

Erie County Executive Chris Collins said, "If a woman is in that situation, she can walk in and there's counselors for her and her family, employees are there. We also have video hookups for a woman to you walked in the door and walk out with a restraining order."

All the victims say it happens more often than we think. By the time this piece ran seven women have become victims.