NASHVILLE, Tenn. - (WTVF) — One in four women will be sexually abused in their lifetime. It's a shocking statistic we hear over and over again. But the statistic is even higher for women who find themselves behind bars.
About 80 percent of female inmates will face or have faced domestic or sexual abuse. The Rise Program at the Metro-Davidson County Detention Facility aims to educate inmates on the issue.
The Rise Program is in partnership with CoreCivic, Davidson County Sheriff's office, and the Office of Family Safety.
During the course, female inmates learn the characteristics of a healthy relationship, how to identify safety red flags and what resources are available to them in the community. That way when they do get outside of the walls of the prison, they can continue to rise above their past and not let anyone try and take advantage of them.
Instructor Breanna Miller, also the Inmate and Trafficking Coordinator said "What I learn from my class, the women who come through, over 90 percent have experienced some sort of violence. If you know that statistics you know that’s important."
Inmate Katie Gardner says her abuser held her hostage.
"I think it’s a cycle, I grew up with it and thought it was normal," said Katie Gardner, "It has affected my life now and my children lives."
Gardner said this class gave her confidence to talk about her situation and grow from it. Now there is hope that she will never find herself in a similar place again.
