Episode 64: The Injustice of Nikki Addimando—Yet Another Survivor in Prison for Self-Defense
Ready to be angry?
Nikki Addimando was terrified to leave her abusive partner of nine years, Chris Grover, believing the only way she could protect herself and her two young children was to stay and try and endure his abuse, hoping he would stop eventually. But in the meantime, she collected evidence, just as we advise survivors to do—photographs, medical records, forensic reports—each time he assaulted her. Until the night he asked her to load his gun for him and then pointed it directly at her. Feeling like she had two choices—be murdered or fight back—she tried to save her life and the life of her kids, only to be sentenced to 19 years to life as a result. Learn how a female DA and male judge tried to blame her for Chris' abuse, accuse her of creating her own revenge porn and have ultimately kept her from holding her children for the last five years.
Learn more at WeStandWithNikki.com and, if so compelled, consider signing the #FreeNikki Change.org Petition.
And if you don't already, learn your ACEs score, which stands for Adverse Childhood Experiences. Childhood trauma will shape so much of your adult life, putting you at a higher risk of being a victim of abuse or an abuser to someone else.
As always, if you are a victim of abuse, don't wait. Reach out to a trained domestic violence advocate today to talk about options, including safety plans, emergency shelter and how to protect your children. Find an advocate near you at DomesticShelters.org or call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-SAFE. #WeStandWithNikki
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
And So I Stayed (documentary)