"I want victims who are listening today to know" that there is help available, said Porter, who said afterward that her experience with domestic violence dates back about 30 years.

"This is something that we have to do more" to prevent, said Springer, who agreed to share her complete identity even though she was listed on the speaking schedule with just an initial attached to her first name.

"If you're experiencing domestic violence, it's important to leave," Springer said. "Don't be afraid to leave, don't be afraid to speak out ... because women are dying. The next time you experience domestic violence, you could lose your life. Your children could lose their mother."

Springer and Porter joined others, including speakers from the HOPE Family Justice Center of Greater New Haven, BH Care and the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence as well as U.S. senators Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and Chris Murphy, D-Conn., Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz, Mayor Justin Elicker, Police Chief Karl Jacobson and state Rep. Mary Welander, D-Orange, in pushing for one thing:

If you're a victim of domestic violence, reach out, they said, because there are people who will help you out of a dangerous situation, which could save your life.

Several speakers pointed out that Connecticut's domestic violence hotline, CT Safe Connect, is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year to provide information and access to resources. 

All urged anyone who feels in danger to call 1-888-774-2900 or go online to ctsafeconnect.org.

"It's scary," said Springer. "I think a lot of them are afraid. Imagine you're with someone who you thought was the love of your life — and you know that you're going to put him in jail." Reporting it "will affect you for the rest of your life," she said.

But "as scary as reaching out is, staying needs to be scarier," said Springer, who knows from experience.

She also knows from experience that life after seeking help can be "full of joy. You will laugh again," she said. "Love isn't supposed to hurt," Springer said.

The event was hosted by Paola Serrecchia, site manager for the HOPE Family Justice Center. Domestic violence "is an assault of the mind, body and spirit," which "oppresses" victims "into feeling worthless and battered" and can leave them with a deep sense of despair, she said.

"The most dangerous part for an abused" person "is when they finally decide to leave, especially when the abusers have a gun," Serrecchia said.

"I implore you, if you are listening today and you need help, please reach out," she said. "We are listening, and we are here for you."

Elicker said that, unfortunately, New Haven has had 1,689 reported incidents of domestic violence so far this year. 

He reported that according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in four women and one in 10 men have experienced domestic violence, calling those figures "astounding."

"The sad, tragic and astonishing fact is that domestic violence is growing" during the post-pandemic years, said Blumenthal. "Domestic violence is more a problem now that ever before" and "domestic violence programs are on the chopping block today in Washington, D.C."

A government shutdown threat "is just one obstacle," Blumenthal said. "There is a right-wing (assault) on women's rights today in this country." There's a Texas court case pending that could strike down the ability to remove firearms from people with pending domestic violence cases against them, he said.

Murphy said Domestic Violence Awareness Month "is a moment for us to spread the word that there's no reason to let domestic violence continue," and "it's all of our obligation to stop this abuse."

Bysiewicz said, "When you have 25 percent of women who are affected by domestic violence, if that's not a public health crisis, I don't know what is."

Jacobson pointed out that domestic violence is the most common reason police are called, adding, "There's way more work to be done."

Responding to domestic violence "is a very, very tough job for these officers," such as Detective John Moore, who responds to it full-time, "but it's even tougher for the victims."

Jacobson said to victims, "We need you to report" incidents. "We need more people to report, and we need you to know that when you report, you will be safe."

Other speakers included Meghan Scanlon, president and CEO of the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence, BH Care CEO Roberta Cook and Dr. Gunjan Tiyyagura of Yale New Haven Hospital.

Scanlon called domestic violence "a crisis in the state of Connecticut."  

Cook said Domestic Violence Awareness Month "is a time for us to come together as a community" to reinforce support for people who suffer from it.

That includes children.

Tiyyagura, a pediatrician, said domestic violence can affect children "throughout their lifetimes."