‘There’s help out there’: Domestic violence survivor becomes victim advocate
By Quanecia Fraser
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OMAHA, Nebraska (KETV) — Holly Knihal survived a violent attack by her ex-boyfriend, and now she works as an advocate for others experiencing domestic violence.
At Heartland Family Service, her work is much more than a desk job.
“When somebody tells me that I had made a big impact or I changed their life, that’s what I do it for,” Knihal said.
She’s a case manager and victim advocate for survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
If you or someone you know needs help, you can access Heartland Family Service’s 24-hour crisis line at 1-800-523-3666.
“If they need me to go to court with them, I go to court with them. If they need help with protection orders, I’ll do that,” Knihal said.
But to see how she got here, you have to go back to August of 2023.
“We had just gone to a pool party out in Blair that day. We had been drinking all day,” Knihal said.
“On August 12th, 2023, I received a call for a disturbance out at the Cottonwood Marina and responded to that with a couple of the other deputies who were working that night. It ended up being a domestic assault call,” Washington County Deputy Andrea Murphy said.
Murphy said Knihal was physically assaulted by her boyfriend at the time.
“When I responded, she was already starting to show signs of bruising. She was covered in blood,” Murphy said. “And she had cut on her nose, and the bruising was starting in and around her eyes.”
“I’d say I took probably 40 or 50 closed fist punches to the face that night. And I kept trying to get out of the car, and he wouldn’t let me. And finally, somebody realized something was going on and came and stopped it,” Knihal said.
She provided photos to KETV showing the immediate and progressive aftermath of her injuries.
“It could have been worse. I’m glad that I had the strength to get out when I did because I probably wouldn’t be here to talk to you right now if I didn’t,” Knihal said.
She was rushed to the hospital.
“When I entered the ambulance, she immediately tried kicking me out, immediately,” Deputy Murphy said.
“I remember being in the back of the ambulance, and I kept telling her to get out, and looking back at it, I was trying to cover for him,” Knihal said. “I was trying to figure out how I was going to get him to get away with this because I loved him and I didn’t want him to get in trouble, and she wouldn’t leave. She wouldn’t leave me.”
Murphy followed up with Knihal in the days after, getting photos and a written statement, along with offering resources. Knihal’s ex was found guilty and sentenced to 18 months in prison.
“You don’t always get to hear or know the impact that you make on someone’s life when you respond to a call,” Murphy said.
For Murphy, the situation hits close to home. She said she’s a survivor of domestic violence herself.
“I think one of the things that I regret in my situation was that I didn’t report it, and I want women to know that they’re supported, that there is a way out. That there are resources out there, when they feel that they maybe don’t have those resources,” Murphy said.
She said it’s what led her to the profession that she’s in now.
“I want people to know that there is help out there, that they’re not alone. And show that support,” Murphy said.
As for Knihal, she said she’d like to see changes when it comes to the justice system.
“Too many times, even in the job I do now, I see cases get pleaded down, and it’s just not fair to the survivors,” Knihal said.
Her message to others going through similar situations is don’t be afraid to ask for help.
“There’s help out there for you. Don’t be ashamed. It’s not your fault. This is a reflection of that other person, it’s not a reflection of you or your actions,” Knihal said.
Knihal has gone back to school and is studying human resources. Her goal is to get a bachelor’s degree in social work.
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