Domestic abuse survivor, campaigner and author Leslie Morgan Steiner has lent her support to Soroptimist International’s day of action on violence against women.    

Well educated and affluent, Leslie’s story highlights that domestic abuse can affect anyone, no matter what their background. In her 2009 memoir, Crazy Love, she writes:

"If you and I met at one of our children’s birthday parties, in the hallway at work, or at a neighbor’s barbecue, you’d never guess my secret: that as a young woman I fell in love with and married a man who beat me regularly and nearly killed me".

 After leaving her abusive marriage, Leslie rebuilt her life and has gone on to write extensively about domestic abuse and other issues facing women. She now lives in Washington DC (USA). Her talk on why domestic violence sufferers don’t just leave was the first of over 20,000 Ted Talks by a relationship violence survivor.

Leslie’s story is featured as one of the case studies of women affected by violence (pdf) for our global day of action on International Women’s Day.  Lending her support to the action, she said:

"Violence against women thrives only when victims stay silent.  Use your voice to break the silence.  If you can tell even one person, you are taking a stand for safety and peace for women everywhere."

It’s time to say Enough is Enough: end violence against women and girls. Join our global day of action on International Women’s Day (March 8 2013).