October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. This photo is from 2019 I posted and left my Abuser in July 2019. I can finally breathe a little easier. On October 12, 2021. My abuser Greg Nanigian was held accountable, pleaded Guilty to the abuse at the Quincy Court House.

I can not tell you how difficult this process has been. But to all victims of Domestic Violence. Do not give up. Hold your abuser accountable. Find people who will support you, not blame you, people who will help you through this difficult journey. I can't tell you how many calls I had to make to find those people who guided and got me here to get justice. Starting from the Detective in Braintree Police Department to the DA's office, along with Victim Rights Advocacy to help me with my restraining order, to my family and some friends who were key people to help me.

My Victim Statement below that I read to the Judge and Court

Your honor, first thank you for letting me have a voice, and to be able to give this victim statement.

Greg Nanigian and I were in a 7-year relationship and 6 years work relationship. Throughout that time I was severely abused by him, both emotionally as well as physically. This constant terror damaged me as a person, it changed my personality, my social behaviors, and my ability to interact with others. It has scarred me to the point I only go out when I most and I can only hope that my experience with Greg will result in injustice so that he never abuse and damage another individual again

In my professional life, I was convinced by Greg that it would be beneficial to me to work for him. First cooking for his charity, and then for his Sandler Sales Training Company In which I was told I would get paid well, have great opportunities, and even give us more time as a couple together. I trusted him as my partner to take this seriously and respectfully, but I realized that all of that was false. In the workplace I would get berated, talked down to, embarrassed and the defendant Greg Nanigian even bullied and threatened a couple of my prospects that I brought into possibly wanting sales training. . Which affected the outcome for me to make more money. I felt like I was working for a dictator who didn't value me at all and the constant bullying at work and abuse at home. Put me in a predicament of feeling stuck, paralyzed with fear, and with no resources. All of this obviously carried over into our personal life at home,

Although the workplace ended up being a very stressful place for me, the majority of the abuse ended up taking place behind closed doors in our home. One of the most difficult things was having to deal with Greg's horrible anger whenever I wouldn't welcome his sexual advances, followed by rage-fueled outbursts if I denied his aggressive advances along with Many of my personal belongings being broken or damaged as a form of punishment and to teach me a lesson.

Violence was also a theme for Greg, from everything like punching me repeatedly on the highway, to slapping me, hitting, pulling my hair, spitting on me, choking me several times to the point I thought I was going to die. Throwing or kicking things at me. Violence and physical abuse were always a threat while in his presence and this took a toll on my mental health over the years. Throughout our relationship, the constant emotional abuse, and threats of violence caused a permanent change in my personality.

As time passed, I felt more scared, more stressed, less trustful of others, and lacking self-esteem and confidence. The nightmares continue even now because of the abuse I endured at the hands of the defendant Greg Nanigian. Each day is a challenge because of the PTSD I was diagnosed with because of Domestic Abuse and as well as my physical health.

I have agreed to the DA’s recommendation for Greg to have to take the Emerge Battles Program for Domestic Violence, 3 years probation, and no order contact. I hope that the defendant Greg Nanigian takes this seriously and puts the work into it and becomes a better person for it.

Thank you again for your honor for giving me a voice. I would also like to thank Detective Cowley, the DA’s office especially Anna and Laura for helping me get justice. I would also like to thank especially my family and Audrey for their support and love during these years. I endured Domestic Violence. I would also like to thank the Victim Rights Advocacy, Susan, and other people who have helped me to be here to be able to get justice. I could not have done all this alone.

If you know of anyone being abused at home or at work. Speak up. No one should have to go through any kind of abuse. The sad part of all this was. Greg had a reputation for his explosive temper, the bullying in the workplace. Several complaints throughout the years of his outbursts and toxic behavior. Sandler was given my police report where Greg admitted himself to beating me in his truck while driving on the highway, a hospital report that I had to get a cast and also had contusions to my chest and ribs. I'm not sure how many complaints a company has to have before they take it seriously or take action. What is the code of conduct? Every company has one. When I came on board to Sandler. I went to many workshops, where Greg would be training the managers of companies on how to treat their employees? But at what point when it is the trainer who trains on this, do they hold one of their own accountable for bad behavior, and creating a toxic environment. When should a company be held accountable for allowing this to happen and continue for years and years? What is more important than people! Profit should never be the most important goal in a company and I understand a company is there to make money. But at what price. Employees should never have to pay a price with their soul and spirit being destroyed. No money in the world is worth having your spirit destroyed. Growing and treating employees should be the top priority. So it is a win-win for both employee and company. I would think having happy employees benefits everyone. So as difficult as this may be for a company to address. It needs and has to be done. Whether it is getting help for that person who is causing the toxic environment or even having to letting them go. But ignoring the problem and being complicit with silence, Helps no one. Again no one should have to go to work and be abused, harassed, bullied, and work in a toxic environment.

To any victims of Domestic Violence at home or work.

Do not be afraid to ask for help. Which can include therapy for yourself. Speaking out . You can not do this alone and know you aren't alone. First talking to people you trust. People who will listen and take you seriously. Find people who will guide you and support you emotionally, because it is so emotionally difficult to go through. There are many organizations that can help. It may take many phone calls , but do not give up. You matter and you need to fight for yourself. I know for me. I wanted accountability and justice. So this does not happen to someone else. I can't imagine or was going to except this could happen to someone else. That is what gave me the strength to get justice.

The last thing I would like to say is. If you know someone who is being abused. Don't ignore it or pretend it isn't happening. Help in some way. Not sure what that may look like. But saying and doing nothing hurts them more and if you care about someone. Don't let them suffer. One of the things I learned from all this was, that the abuser counts on my silence. It gave him more power and control. I know how scary and uncomfortable this topic is. No one should have to endure or go through this. So I ask please be the solution and not the problem. We have too many victims going through domestic violence and don't let them suffer in silence. I am hoping I can get into helping other victims with my story by letting them know. You aren't alone and you can get accountability and justice.