'I thought I was going to die', says woman who broke the cycle of domestic violence

'I thought I was going to die', says woman who broke the cycle of domestic violence “In 2010, I thought I was going to die.” Valéria Lopes' phrase sums up the abyss between the life she had and the one she managed to rebuild. Valéria suffered physical attacks, sexual violence, threats and persecution. After managing to break the cycle of violence, she left her city, found a support network, moved to Araraquara (SP), trained as a nursing technician, got married and today helps other women. ? Follow g1 São Carlos e Araraquara on Instagram Before graduating as a nursing technician and receiving a standing ovation at her own graduation, she had to pretend to be passed out to escape an attack, live with threats, persecution and sexual violence and find the strength to leave behind a relationship that almost took her life. She is part of the stories told in the special series “Dona Penha”, on EPTV, which marks 20 years of the Maria da Penha Law. Valéria Lopes rebuilt her life after moving city, got married and graduated as a nursing technician in Araraquara Personal archive Read also: HELP: Violence against women: see DDMs and other places to seek help in cities in the interior of SP LAW: 'Dona Penha': understand types of violence against women and how the Maria da Penha Law has strengthened in 20 years MOURNING: 'He didn't just destroy her life, he destroyed ours': the pain of families after feminicides Starting over in Araraquara To break the cycle of violence, Valéria had to leave the city, her family and the life she knew behind. "I arrived in Araraquara when I set foot. Will I be happy here? In a land where I don't know anyone", he recalled. She found shelter in the home of a woman who decided to help her. The woman who welcomed her had also experienced a history of violence and shared with Valéria a phrase that stuck with her: “Do for someone what I'm doing for you today.” From that moment on, Valéria began to rebuild her own life. After years of abusive relationship, today Valéria has another life in Araraquara Reproduction/EPTV New profession and transformation The fresh start also included studies. Valéria went back to studying and managed to graduate as a nursing technician. Graduation was one of the most memorable moments of this new phase. "My graduation was something beautiful. Guys, I received a standing ovation when I was the class' paranymph. I said, man, I'm living", he said. For her, the butterfly symbolizes precisely this transformation in her life. “The butterfly, for me, is the animal that represents me, because I had to leave my cocoon, the cocoon of fear, the cocoon of anguish, the cocoon of what the other would think, in order to survive" he said. Today, Valéria uses her own experience to help other women going through similar situations. For her, the welcome she received was essential for her to be able to rebuild her life. Valéria graduated as a nursing technician in Araraquara and started her life anew Personal archive Constant fear According to Valéria, her ex-partner was a drug user and often arrived at home aggressively under the influence of alcohol and drugs. In one of the attacks, the violence was so intense that she had to fake fainting to escape. "If I had the structure, I would have said no there. It was a very violent attack and I had to fake fainting to be able to save myself from it," he said. Control did not end at home. Valéria also began to be persecuted. She received calls and messages with information that showed that the attacker knew where she was. According to her, the attacker also made threats against family members. Fear and aggression were part of a period in Valéria's life. She managed to break the cycle of violence. Reproduction/EPTV Search for help Valéria reports that she has suffered different forms of violence throughout her life. In one of the situations, she was a victim of sexual violence and had to face the trauma alone. Even in the face of violence, breaking was not immediate. “I was afraid of weakening, after all that violence, of going back,” he said. Valéria also faced emotional and financial difficulties. At a certain point, he needed to seek medical and psychological care. “I was seen by a team of psychologists, I had a problem with my scalp, terrible, emotional hair loss," he said. At the Social Assistance Reference Center (CRAS), he was able to access support programs and receive a basic food basket. Then, a job opportunity helped take the first steps towards financial independence. “In customer service and through there I met a girl who had a bakery and I went to work with her.” Once the door opened, she was freed from fear. Today she is married, has started a family and lives far from her violent past. REVIEW VIDEOS FROM EPTV CENTRAL: See more news from the region on g1 São Carlos and Araraquara