The video of former NFL player Ray Rice beating his fiancé unconscious has many people questioning why she went on to marry him.
It has prompted a grassroots social media campaign where thousands of women are sharing their very personal stories of why they chose to stay in an abusive relationship.
On Twitter the hashtags #WhyIStayed and #WhyILeft reveal an emotional first-hand account of what some women have endured.
The Director of the Ottawa Coalition to End Violence Against Women says, leaving abuse isn't as easy as it sounds.
If you are a woman in crisis, resources in Ottawa are available on the OCTEVAW website.
CTV’s Natalie Pierosara will have more on this story tonight at 6.
