‘Dancing With The Stars’ Alum Jana Kramer Raises Awareness For Domestic Violence

“Dancing With the Stars” alum Jana Kramer recently raised awareness for domestic violence and abuse.

According to People, the country singer shared her own experiences with abuse during a recently visit to the Safe Horizon shelter in New York. While there, the “I Hope It Rains” singer received the Voice of Empowerment Award for talking about her story openly and inspiring others to stand up against their abusers. At present, Kramer has also teamed up with the shelter for their anti-domestic violence campaign, “Put the Nail In It.”

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Last year, Kramer opened up about her first husband, Michael Gambino, attempting to kill her. While speaking with the same publication in October, the reality TV star shared details about her marriage with Gambino. The two met in 2004 and got married on a whim two weeks later. But their peaceful relationship immediately turned ugly when Gambino started becoming easily angered.

“He’d come home at three in the morning and pick me up out of bed, throw me onto the ground and start yelling and hitting. The next morning he’d be like, ‘Hey, baby,’ as if nothing had happened. When I said, ‘I can’t do this anymore,’ he sent me a photo of my dogs on the freeway and said, ‘I’m going to let them go if you don’t come home,’” she shared.

In 2005, Gambino choked Kramer until she became unconscious and left her bleeding outside of her home in Los Angeles. Gambino was convicted of attempted murder and was sentenced to six years in prison. Two years after he was freed, he committed suicide.

At present, Kramer wants to help more and more people, especially now that she’s a mother to her adorable daughter, Jolie.