ROCHESTER, N.Y. — More than one in three women (35.6%) and one in four men (28.5%) in the U.S. have experienced rape, physical violence and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime, according to the National Domestic Violence Hotline.

Many victims suffer in silence and that's why advocates say there is a need for increased awareness, prevention and support.

What You Need To Know

  • Antoniette Beard shares her story of domestic and sexual abuse on TikTok, inspiring nearly 150,000 followers

  • She educates others on signs of abuse and offers practical advice for escaping violent relationships

  • Antoniette is working on a memoir and collaborates with the Catalyst Project to support abuse survivors

Antoniette Beard began sharing her personal story of abuse on TikTok in 2021. Today, she has nearly 150,000 followers who look to her for strength and resources.

"I've been abused my entire life," she shared in one of her TikTok videos. "And I want to tell you the biggest struggle. It's not the remembering or the reliving. It's knowing that the worst possible thing that could happen to you has already happened."

Beard explained that she began experiencing abuse in her childhood, and later in life, she said that she ended up in a violent relationship. 

Despite the difficulty, Antoniette eventually escaped with the help of law enforcement, judges and even the FBI's counterterrorism unit. After breaking free, she began using TikTok to share her experience, with the goal of helping others recognize the signs of abuse.

One of her most impactful videos highlights warning signs of child sexual abuse. Her platform became a place where hundreds of young people, even boys, reached out to share their own struggles.

Through her TikTok presence, Antoniette found not only her voice but also a community of survivors. She turned her pain into lessons for others, sharing practical advice such as documenting abuse and getting counseling.

"Part of my own therapy was to say it out loud — what happened to me —and just put it out there," she explained.

Her videos garnered millions of views, inspiring others to trust her and seek guidance on how to escape and survive abusive situations.

Beard reminds her followers that leaving an abuser is not easy.

"It takes a woman, on average, seven attempts before they're able to leave," she says, encouraging others to take their time if they're not ready to leave yet.

Now, Antoniette is working on a memoir detailing her experiences. She also collaborates with the Catalyst Project, which helps abuse survivors realize their strength and move toward healing.