Stabbing death of Tonya Hunter-Lyons heightens awareness of domestic violence issues

CLEVELAND - The stabbing death of Tonya Hunter-Lyons is another reminder that domestic violence is an issue that demands attention.

Hunter-Lyons was a woman who counseled couples in troubled marriages -- a woman who had serious marital problems of her own. She seemingly took all the right steps to combat the problem of domestic violence in her home, but yet in the end the main suspect in her murder is Maurice Lyons, her husband.

Here's an alarming fact: One in every four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime.

It doesn't discriminate and it impacts every community. Domestic violence is about having power and control over an individual via the threat or use of violence and intimidation. Even though statistics show more heterosexual women are victims of this crime, men and same-sex partners report this awful experience as well.

I know women who have gone through this and survived. It's not an easy journey and the process is painful, but with organizations like the Domestic Violence Center of Greater Cleveland and their numerous resources, a victim of this heinous crime can get help.

Ruth Johnson is a woman who took her horrific experience and turned it into something positive. Domestic violence tried to overtake her. Instead she took control of it. I shared Ruth's story with NewsChannel5 viewers last year and she was very candid about the physical abuse she endured in her 13-year marriage.

Now Ruth lives a different story. She founded The Pneuma Life Foundation for the Prevention of Abusive Family Environments. Just like Hunter-Lyons, she also believes her purpose is to help people.

As a matter of fact, Hunter-Lyons assisted Johnson with the startup of her foundation, which educates religious and secular communities about domestic violence. Johnson told me Hunter-Lyons was scheduled to speak at a Pneuma Life event next month.

As the family of Tonya Hunter-Lyons mourns the loss of their loved one, the harsh reality that a little boy will grow up without a mother is hard to ignore. Who knows what the impact of this violent act will be on this 4-year-old boy.

One thing is for sure, Tonya's family has stated that they are relying on their faith and the closeness of family to sustain them through this extremely challenging time in their lives. Hopefully, time will help heal the deep wounds left behind from Tonya's death.

If you would like more information on domestic violence. go to www.domesticviolencecenter.org or www.pneumalifefoundation.org .