"Lizzette Martinez’s story embodies the fire energy that gives light and life to survivors all around her! Survivors need to see strength and perseverance despite opposition, and Lizzette models just that." - Melissa Schuman, actress and singer In January of 1995, 17-year-old Lizzette Martinez met Grammy-winning musician and record producer R. KELLY at Aventura Mall in Florida where he was performing. At first, it seemed that her hopes of … [Read more...]
FAITH-BASED FRAUD: A Clear-Eyed Look At Scandals Within The Church
Christian Ministry Watchdog Examines The Biggest Religious Scandals Of Our Time Author and Ministry Watch President, Warren Cole Smith, Pens New Book To Advocate For Transparency And Accountability In Evangelical Churches We live in a secular, skeptical, and cynical age. Americans have lost faith in its institutions – including the church. Although the vast majority of Christian leaders serve faithfully, examples of financial fraud, … [Read more...]
The Face Of Abuse
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE TRUTH. THIS IS THE FACE OF ABUSE. When you are a victim of domestic violence you remain silent. You endure your abuse under the false beliefs that it will end. That it's not really that bad. Tomorrow will be better. The truth is that you become more and more fearful and even more vulnerable. You begin to believe all that your abuser says about you, and you become so frail and extremely weak minded that you actually become the … [Read more...]
Joni Ankerson
Joni Ankerson lives in her hometown of Traverse City, Michigan. After being released from prison in April of 2017, she returned home to the house she grew up in and is moving forward with her new, independent life. She is a strong advocate for victims of domestic violence and has many family members, friends and community members that support her and stand behind her. She hopes that by sharing her story, other victims will gain the … [Read more...]
SURVIVAL; A Man’s Hard Journey To World Boxing Champion
Vinnie Curto was born in East Boston, Massachusetts on July 10, 1955. His father, Jimmy Curto, was a raving, sick, alcoholic homosexual. Vinnie’s father and his drunken friends sexually abused young Vinnie, frequently raping him and performing other deviant sexual acts on him, while his mother, Loretta, stood by and let it happen. When Vinnie was fourteen, his father forced him to pursue a boxing career. Jimmy Curto told his son that the only … [Read more...]
SURVIVAL Photo Gallery
Photos from Vinnie Curto and Dennis Griffin's new book SURVIVAL … [Read more...]
Boxing Champion Vinnie Curto
Although I am proud to tell people I won the WBF World Super Cruiserweight Champion in 1986, my story was somewhat of a sad one at one time. It’s also a story of a person who went through hell, several times, and came out on the other side to make something of himself. I was shot, stabbed, poisoned, and had my Cadillac blown up when I was supposed to be in it, but nothing and no one could kill me, or stop me from reaching my … [Read more...]
Sexual Harassment, Sexual Abuse Victim Assistance Survivor Resources
This list of Abuse Survivor Resources is taken directly from the end of the book A TASTE FOR MURDER by Burl Barer and Frank C. Girardot. The book tells the story of an abused woman that became a master manipulator in her later years - or so she thought. Her lust for money and the easy life ultimately caught up with her. Burl and Frank added these resources to A Taste For Murder as a service to those that have experienced domestic abuse and would … [Read more...]
