Gentle'men Against Domestic Violence event sees men join forces against domestic violence and trafficking

NAPLES, Fla. - Men across Southwest Florida are joining forces to combat domestic violence and human trafficking. The Gentle'men Against Domestic Violence event supports the Shelter for Abused Women and Children.

Alina Donahue, a survivor of human trafficking, took the stage to share her powerful story. Donahue spent eight months in exploitation before receiving help from the shelter.

"When my trafficking came to an end, it wasn't a heroic rescue like many of us seem to think it is," said Donahue. "It was actually a law enforcement encounter that ultimately landed me in jail, but it was because of those crimes I was forced to commit during my trafficking time. But no one knew that."

The Shelter for Abused Women and Children provided a crucial turning point for Donahue, transforming her life.

"The shelter has helped me accomplish so many things in my life," said Donahue. "They've helped me heal when first learned about them back in 2017. They introduced me to therapy. They helped me get my expungement and gosh, they've just helped me in so many different ways."

Donahue served as the keynote speaker at the Gentle'men Against Domestic Violence event. This annual gathering encourages men to stand with women to end violence and human trafficking.

"At the Shelter, we believe it's important for men to serve in a leadership capacity and stand with women as equal partners in ending violence against women and girls," said Linda Oberhaus, CEO of the Shelter for Abused Women and Children.

Since its inception in 2008, the event has raised more than $4 million to support emergency shelters and outreach programs throughout Southwest Florida.

"It's important for men to be involved in this conversation because I think too often and more often than not, people tend to turn away because it's a heavy subject and no one wants to hear about it," said Donahue. "But the reality is we need to have these conversations because had we had these conversations, a lot of survivors would have never become victims."

The Gentle'men Against Domestic Violence event in Naples continues to make a significant impact by fostering dialogue and supporting those in need.