LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- For many women and men in Kentucky, the person who is supposed to love you can be the one that hurts you the most.

Kentucky just released it's annual domestic violence report. It cites a CDC study that says 1 in 2 women — and 1 in 3 men in Kentucky have experienced domestic violence.

For Sarah, those statistics are real. She is a survivor who said her fairytale romance quickly turned into a nightmare.

"It seemed like a dream come true," she said.

Sarah met her abuser at an entertainment convention. She said he is a public figure she doesn't want to identify.

"Falling in love with someone that you don’t know. It was very fast," she explained.

He asked Sarah to join him on tour. She quit her job to work for him full time. "Then out of nowhere, it was a nightmare."

The first time he was violent was at a hotel on tour. "He grabbed me by my hair and pulled me down to the ground with his other hand around my neck."

A few weeks later, Sarah said it happened again. "I remember falling to the floor and just starting to sob because why?"

Each time it happened, the abuse was getting worse. Then the pandemic hit, and his tour was over.

"It's like this ugly demons head popped out again," she said.

Now, the demon lived inside Sarah's home. She felt trapped. Sarah remembered standing on her balcony about to throw a chair off out of frustration, when he came up behind her.

"He tackled me around my waist, and I went face first into my deck." Sarah fractured a bone in her face. She recorded a video to document the injuries.

Through the abuse, she still loved him and wanted him to get help, but it never lasted. Finally, he went on a trip across the country.

"I was like, this is my moment."

She blocked him and got help from the Center for Women and Families in Louisville.

This month marks Sarah's three year survivor anniversary. Now, she uses her story to inspire others to escape.

"To hear someone else did it for themselves, just makes me so happy," she said.

Sarah urges anyone experiencing domestic violence to have a safety plan "You already have a bag packed. You've already been saving money."

Be ready to reach out to people who can help. "My life has gotten so much better in every single way," she said.

If you want help escaping an abusive relationship, call the Center for Women and Families 24/7 hotline at 844-237-2331. Their website also helps with information on prevention, education and navigating protective orders in the courts. Click here. 

There are additional resources across the country. If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence and needs assistance, please reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline by calling 800-799-SAFE or clicking here.

There is also a 24-hour Rape Crisis Line in Kentucky at 800-656-HOPE (4673) to connect with a sexual assault service provider near you or contact your local Kentucky State Police Post to connect with a victim advocate.

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