WKOW 27: Madison, WI Breaking News, Weather and SportsUnidos celebrates 12 years of helping abused women after losing one of their own

Unidos celebrates 12 years of helping abused women after losing one of their own

MADISON (WKOW) -- A Madison organization celebrates more than a decade of helping abused women after losing one of their own to domestic violence earlier this month.

Volunteers with Unidos Against Domestic Violence says this recent tragedy makes their mission even more critical.

When Madison police found the bodies of a couple inside their condo on Kottke Drive earlier this month, members of Unidos Against Domestic Violence were shocked.

33-year-old Viviana Tellez-Giron volunteered with Unidos, advocating for Latinas who were domestically abused.

Madison police say on October 4th her husband, 66-year-old Salvador Tellez-Giron beat Vivianna to death then hanged himself.

"It felt personal because we lost Vivianna. It felt personal because someone else died from domestic violence," explains Unidos Interim Director Julie Andersen.

Andersen says, although tragic, Vivianna's case is not unique.

The statics are startling:  One in three women will be domestically abused.  A third of the arrests in Dane County are connected to domestic violence.

"Domestic violence happens in all communities, regardless of race, ethnicity, socio-economic level," explains Andersen.

It also takes a variety of forms including verbal abuse, sexual abuse and economic abuse.

The most dangerous time for a victim, is when she tries to leave her abuser.

Police say that was the catalyst for the stabbing death of a woman on Badger Road in July.

It was also what police blame for Vivianna Tellez-Giron's death.

In spite of these recent tragedies, Unidos says there is still hope for other women.

"We lost Vivianna, but their are people making strides everyday," Andersen stresses.

Unidos is celebrating 12 years of those successes at a banquet Friday night at the Brink Lounge.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Email comments or questions to Vanessa Shirley at vshirley@wkowtv.com.

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