CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Editor's Note: This story discusses domestic violence, which may include descriptions of violent acts. Reader discretion is advised.
When news broke that Allisha Watts was found dead and her boyfriend was charged with killing her, it was particularly difficult for Melody Gross to process.
"When I hear stories of someone losing their life to domestic violence, I always take a pause and think about how I'm here to tell my story," Gross said. "What happens is we're silenced, so when I here these stories, it takes a moment ... it's really about getting back to the work. How can we disrupt domestic violence?"
In the first nine months of 2023, 53 people were killed in domestic-violence-related crimes in North Carolina, including Watts.
The staggering statistic prompted a big move from the state that could mean more help for local survivors who could be trying to get help. Gross said she thought about leaving her own abusive boyfriend dozens of times.
"The first time I decided to leave it was hard and scary," she said. "I was on crutches, and I was bruised. It was visible, so the judge said OK to the protective order, but I still wasn't ready to go, so I did go back."
Gross said she actually tried to leave three times before she was successful.
"When I finally decided to leave, I felt much more empowered," Gross said. "I asked for help and was able to get services I needed."
Many of those services include things many domestic violence survivors don't know about. Gross, along with Legal Aid of North Carolina and the state, is trying to change that.
"We're there for them; we empower them," Kelly Carroll, an attorney with Legal Aid, said. "The stat is that it takes seven times before a victim finally leaves, and we're not there to be judgmental. We're there to help them get to their eighth time."
Carroll and her team members walk survivors through the confusing court process. She said it's more important than ever that people know what help and services are available.
"We're seeing a spike in homicides," Carroll said. "There have been 39 homicides in the last six months and an increase in calls to police for domestic-violence-related incidents. It's depressing, and we can't help everybody."
North Carolina officials want to make sure more survivors know about the services. The governor's crime commission just awarded a $500,000 grant to support survivors and spread awareness.
"I think this money is really important because so many times survivors don't know what's available," Carroll said. "The more money, the more awareness."
Gross said these resources are critical for victims facing the scary challenge of leaving an abuser.
"When you are decided to leave, it's hard, it's scary," she said. "To have the resources you need to take those steps those first few days are vital. Within those moments, your risk is increased of death but also access can be increased, as well."
Contact Michelle Boudin at mboudin@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
If you or a loved one is facing domestic violence, help is readily available. You can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text START to 88788. Resources for help are available in both North Carolina and South Carolina.