Champlin Woman Shares Story Of Domestic Abuse To Help Others

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Two years after her husband tried to take her life, a Champlin woman is ready to share her story of survival.

Francine Siegfried will speak to a crowd for the first time about her experience with domestic violence at a fundraising benefit this Friday night at Willy McCoy's Restaurant in Champlin. She says she's ready to help other men and women see warning signs and stay safe.

After 10 years of marriage, Siegfried said she had enough of an unhealthy relationship and her divorce from her husband was finalized in August 2014.

"I figured the divorce was final and we would both go on our merry way, separately," Siegfried said. "Turns out statistically that is when you're at most risk."

Siegfried said she has buried red flags deep down for too long in a mostly verbally abusive situation.

"Extremely controlling, isolating you from friends and family," Siegfried said. "I didn't even realize it or process it at the time because I was so focused on raising the kids and doing a good job at that."

A few weeks after the divorce was finalized, Siegfried went to pick up her three children from their father's home. Unbeknownst to Siegfried, her ex-husband had brought the kids to a relative's house and would try to carry out a murder-suicide.

"He actually invited me in the door, which should have been a red flag to me," she recalled. "He has never invited me in before and he proceeded to nearly stab me to death. He thought I was dead."

Siegfried was able to get help, and her ex-husband survived his suicide attempt. He's now serving a sentence in prison.

Two years later, her path toward healing led her to begin educating others to see the warning signs of abuse.

"If your friends wouldn't talk to you that way you shouldn't be talked to that way by a spouse," Siegfried said of how to understand abuse. "There is help out there you don't have to go through this alone."

Partnering with local organization Home Free and Champlin Police Department, Siegfried will host a benefit in Friday night. Minneapolis singer Tim Mahoney will perform and proceeds go to helping victims of domestic violence.

Siegfried wants people to have fun at the event but also learn more about domestic violence and the resources available in every Minnesota county.

"They'll sit with you and make a plan and help you through things before it escalates to a situation like mine," Siegfried said.

Domestic violence organizations estimate one in four women and one in seven men in the U.S. experience domestic violence.

Since surviving her attack Siegfried has begun pursuing a career in nursing.

The fundraiser is at Willy McCoy's restaurant in Champlin from 6:30 p.m. until 10 p.m. Friday. You're encouraged to wear purple for Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Tickets are $20. To buy tickets or make a donation, click here.