"My life started as a blank canvas -- pure and untainted, filled with creativity and possibilities,” said Angela Douglas, a survivor of domestic and sexual violence.

Douglas was ready to create her own masterpiece, until others tried to take control of her brushes.

"I was sexually assaulted on two college campuses and also come from generational domestic violence,” said Douglas, who is the Vera House associate director and Survivors' Network co-chair.

It was a life-long battle that never seemed to end.

"I figured if I put on the best middle-class person and was educated and execute well, that would be enough to get by,” said Douglas. “That kind of came crashing down on me when my daughter was sexually assaulted."

But Douglas says her faith, family and community helped her heal.

Especially working with Vera House, where she serves others suffering from domestic and sexual violence.

One of its newest programs is the Legal Project, a group of attorneys provide free legal services to victims.

"I provide direct representation to clients on divorce, custody, visitation, child support, also in campus discipline proceedings,” said Bryn Lovejoy-Grinnell, the Vera House Legal Services director.

Lovejoy-Grinnell says they've seen more than 100 clients this past year.

"What drives us every day is a world free of violence and abuse,” said Lovejoy-Grinnell. “There's no linear path to justice or being a survivor. People define that for themselves and we are here to get them to that point."

"Just like a caterpillar goes into a cocoon, out comes a butterfly,” said Douglas. “We're all waiting for that."

To reach the moment of survival, and for Douglas, paint her own destiny.

"In my time, to reclaim this very canvas I was born with, it is time for me to choose my own colors,” said Douglas. “It is time for us to own our canvas."

Douglas encourages all victims and survivors to reach out to Vera House for support.

• The organization’s advocacy program served 1,562 victims.
• 5,803 calls were answered on Vera House’s 24-Hour Crisis Support Hotline.
• Vera House’s Therapy Program provided 6,453 therapy sessions to 619 adults and 548 youth.

If you need immediate assistance, call 911 or the hotline at (315) 468-3260.

You can also go to the Vera House website for more information on its services.