NEW BRITAIN, Conn. — Family members of a woman found dead in her New Britain home on Friday are raising awareness about domestic violence.
27-year-old Moenisha Collins was found shot to death inside her apartment. 46-year-old Vincent Blair is charged with murder. Police said he fled to Pennsylvania before being arrested.
Moenisha Collins’ sister, Justina Collins, said she’s telling her story because she wants to help people who are in domestic violence situations.
She said while there weren’t any clear signs of abuse, her niece confided in her that there was. Now, she wants to help other families not to be in their heartbreaking situation.
“I found my niece over my sister,” said Collins.
It’s a reoccurring moment that plays in Collins’ mind.
“I don’t want another little girl to walk home from school and see her mom bleeding out on the floor because some monster couldn’t control her,” said Collins.
Collins said Moenisha and Blair had been dating for less than a year and were expecting a child together.
But now instead of planning for a baby shower or Christmas, Collins is raising awareness for those who are facing domestic violence.
“Instead of celebrating the holidays with my family or my sister and celebrating my nieces and my daughter's birthday, I now have to bury my little sister,” said Collins. “I just want justice for my sister and her story to hopefully help someone else.”
As holidays are in full swing, experts said domestic violence increases around this time.
“With that comes aggravated stressors like financial pressures, like isolation, and being together intensely and in small groups,” said Mary-Jane Foster with Interval House.
But there is help.
“If you are a victim. Please do not be afraid to reach out whether that’s to a family member or a domestic violence agency like Interval House, there are resources,” said Foster.
“Just know that there are people out there that care about you, that love you. People that don’t want to see what happened to my sister, happen to them,” said Collins.
Experts said some of the signs you can look for if you believe your loved one is experiencing domestic violence are:
• Change in their personality
• Signs of physical abuse like marks or bruises
• Verbal abuse
DeAndria Turner is a multi-media journalist at FOX61 News. She can be reached at dturner@fox61.com.
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