"Janine Latus is the most compelling speaker on sexual assault and relationship abuse I've ever heard."

I have seldom heard the undergraduate students on our campus quieter than when Janine Latus was speaking to them. At the end of my class, students filed out, shaking her hand and offering their thanks. Over the course of the three days she spent on our campus, she spoke in five classes, at a campus-wide program, and with clients at our local women’s shelter. On campus, I frequently saw students talking with her privately, sometimes with tears in their eyes. Janine helps victims of abuse unders… Read more

Janine Latus was an incredible speaker for us in 2017.  Of course sharing her sister’s tragic story was absolutely heart-wrenching, but what I found especially compelling was her own personal story of abuse which was less about the physical but more verbal abuse in her previous relationships. I can’t help but think this was eye-opening for some our attendees that may not have realized they could potentially be in the same situation.  She was also willing to do whatever she could to support… Read more

As Janine began to speak about her journey through the horrors of domestic violence in her life she shared about the types of abuse. She spoke of sexual abuse, financial abuse, cyber manipulation, and of course emotional and physical abuse. I sat there spellbound as well, and watched the entire audience sit wide-eyed, silent and captivated. Seeing the power and control wheel was new information to most of the people. The entire presentation was professional, personal and riveting. Janine, you… Read more

“I want to thank you for your powerful story. Your story and words made me realize how much abuse I have escaped in past relationships. The (not so) little things that I believed was love and how I deserved to be loved was not real and I had always blamed myself. Your words helped me realize that it was not my fault which has lifted so much weight off my shoulders. I cannot truly express how much it means to hear your story. Thank you again.”

Speaker Janine Latus Weaves a Spellbinding Narrative Speaker Janine Latus contributed to our knowledge of Abuse at our November 14 th AAUW meeting by speaking about her New York Times best-selling book, If I Am Missing or Dead: A Sister’s Story of Love, Murder, and Liberation. Latus’s presentation involved the telling of this difficult story with a mastery of timing, tension, and perspicacity. She revealed that victimization is often characterized by a lack of awareness of what is, and what… Read more

Even a month after she spoke at our event, her words still resonate in my head.  Janine’s message is powerful and impactful and opens one’s eyes to the battle victims of domestic violence face every day against their abuser.

Thank you for sharing your story last night at the YWCA’s Women of Excellence. I have lost several friends to domestic violence. I used to be one of those people who just didn’t get why a woman stayed until I got older and saw the way abusers manipulate their victims. My deepest condolences to you for your sister but she still lives on through you and your story. I wholeheartedly believe everyone can do something to save even just one person. Thank you again.

Janine’s unforgettable story of abuse is two-fold.  First, she told of her personal abusive relationship … to the outside world, they looked perfect.  They had a beautiful home, money, social status, all of the things that would reflect their affluent lifestyle.  However, what people did not know about was his extremely controlling behavior. Second, Ms. Latus told the heartfelt story about her sister Amy, whose abusive relationship ultimately led to her murder.  Ms. Latus’ candor as the story… Read more

Thank you so much, Janine! We got so much fantastic feedback from last night. Our guests were truly moved by your remarks and wanted to hear more! Thanks to you we raised over $37,000 last night, well over our goal.