CHARLOTTE, N.C. — It's a memory Pamela Blount recalls with grief and sadness.
"My mom was murdered by her abuser when I was 8 years old," Blount shared.
That tragedy is now immortalized on the pages of her book titled," When the Creek Cries: Rebecca's Story." Blount says she started writing the book when she was a junior in high school. It's a decadeslong labor of love with an important message.
"It took me this long to finish it, but it’s done now, I'm excited," she said. "The journey has been amazing."
But it hasn’t been without difficulty.
"It was hard reliving those moments and, you know, having to deal with the trauma of it," Blount said.
All those years ago, she witnessed her mother’s murder. It’s a tragedy that has made her passionate about helping not only domestic violence victims, but children who are exposed to the abuse.
Much of her advocacy work is with kids in schools who may be seeing domestic abuse at home.
"If we can get this thing before it starts and if we can educate them and show them the difference between healthy and unhealthy relationships, that helps a lot," Blount said.
Even with all the speaking engagements and outreach Blount does in person, there are so many more people out there who need help. She says, that’s who Rebecca’s story is for.
Blount says she is doing some book launch events just for Domestic Violence Awareness Month, including one back home in Anson County -- where it all happened.
She says it will be hard, but her tears of sadness will turn to tears of joy.
Pamela's book is available on Amazon and you can contact her for a copy or for connections to Domestic Violence Awareness resources on her Facebook page.
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.
Contact Destiny Richards at drichards5@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.