Read more: Local, Crime, TESSA, Domestic Violence, Colorado Springs
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- A Colorado Springs woman tells her horrifying tale of abuse in hopes of helping others.
Local domestic abuse advocates say domestic violence is on the rise.
TESSA says they got more than 16-thousand calls to their domestic abuse hotline in 2009.
That's a 21-percent increase from the year before.
Tomorrow night the glass slipper ball will raise money to help prevent domestic violence in El Paso County.
Ann Bowen says her husband abused her for more than 10 years.
But an attack in late 2008 was when she decided she had to get away.
Now she's telling her story to let now other abuse victims know help is available.
" I really though I was going to die," Bowen said.
Her husband of 18 years Tony Vargas beat her on a regular basis.
But Bowen never felt like she could leave.
"To walk away when it started happening... the boys were too young,” Bowen said.
Then, in 2008 Tony started getting a lot more violent.
"He slapped me across the face body slammed me against the car," said Bowen.
Ann moved out but shortly after that came the worst night of her life.
In a violent rage, Tony beat and kidnapped her then took her to a remote property near Peyton.
"He told me to take all of my clothes off he un-cuffed one hand long enough for me to get my shirt off," Bowen said.
Then Tony tied her hands and feet together behind her back.
The rape that followed was so graphic we can’t tell you about it.
"I had tearing of the wrists from the cuffs I had tearing on my ankles from the cuffs I had a filling knocked out of my mouth from where he stuffed a sock down my throat," Bowen said.
She managed to escape and get help.
And Tony was convicted on a slew of charges just last month and is now serving 182 years in prison.
Now, with the help of TESSA, Ann is getting her life back.
And she wants others in violent situations to know they are not alone.
"A lot of women children and men are abused mentally emotionally and physically and they are not the only ones," Bowen said.
Last year TESSA helped hundreds of women escape violent relationships...
Tomorrow night the glass slipper ball will be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel to help raise money for TESSA.
ZONTA’S fourth annual Glass Slipper Ball, benefiting TESSA, will be on Saturday, January 30th at the Crowne Plaza Hotel from 7:00 p.m. to midnight. Over 20 of Colorado Springs top chefs will showcase their talents with signature hors d'oeuvres and desserts. Along with all the tasty treats, those who attend will dance the night away with music provided by a live band. A silent auction will complete the night with, gorgeous gift baskets, artwork, travel and more.
Tickets are currently on sale for $85 per person or $750 for a table of ten. For more information go to www.ZontaPikesPeak.org or call 719-460-4960.
