A North Carolina girl, pregnant at 15, never expected to be put in this situation. In her small conservative town, she felt the community pressuring her to marry the 17-year-old father and take the responsibility for getting pregnant to “make it right.” 

Now 40 years old, court documents show that she had endured years of abuse, just like numerous other teenagers in North Carolina today. She is still trying to escape the torment of her child’s father, while also working to advocate for victims of domestic violence.

North Carolina is aiming to reduce [...]

To many, COVID-19 has sheltered them in a state of boredom, confinement, and spiritlessness. Others, however, have been imprisoned in a state of danger, uncertainty, and domestic abuse at the hands of their partner.

Domestic abuse is more prevalent in situations involving drug and alcohol abuse, unemployment, or emotional isolation, all of which have drastically increased since the start of the pandemic. In just 38 counties of North Carolina, the number of domestic violence reports have increased — from 22776 before the pandemic to 24760 after it began.

While domestic violence cases most [...]