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

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

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

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.

“Ms. Latus was an excellent speaker. Her message is an important one. She reminds us that domestic violence can happen in any relationship or family without regard to status, socio-economic level, or educational background. Her personal story of loss is extremely compelling and highlights the complex issues related to physical and sexual abuse. Her presentation provided a unique insight to not only recognize abuse but also served as a call to action to combat this epidemic problem. Her present… Read more

Janine Latus delivers a powerful, sobering, yet inspirational keynote address.  Her audience was riveted, hanging on her every word.  I am so thankful she has shared her and her sister’s tragic story so she can help and offer hope to other women and children.

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.

“We used Janine as our Keynote for our largest fundraiser of the year. We wanted to normalize topics of abuse like domestic violence in the community to spread awareness about resources. We want people to know that they are not alone. Janine’s story resonates with audiences to put into perspective the value of victim service providers, like the YWCA Greater Harrisburg. Her presentation is heartfelt and brings awareness to the darkest of outcomes involving intimate partner abuse. Janine spent… 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