Survivor of domestic violence attack hopes to use her story to help others

Friends and family packed into an Airdrie, Alta., bar on Sunday to raise money for a woman who survived a horrific domestic violence attack just two months ago.

That survivor, Dawn Warden, wants to turn the fundraiser into an annual event — and use her story to help other victims.

"It's so cheesy, you don't think it's going to happen to you. But, it does," said Warden. "It's a lot to process. Even the whole incident is still a lot to process."

On June 9, it's alleged Walden was at her apartment when her ex-boyfriend attacked her with a sword, severing most of her fingers and causing other deep gashes all over her body, according to a Legal Aid family lawyer who represented Warden at a July court hearing. 

While bleeding profusely, Warden was then shoved into her bedroom closet while her ex is alleged to have lit a mattress on fire in the bedroom before leaving the apartment. 

Warden's 18-year-old son Kyle was in his bedroom and noticed the smoke. He and neighbours helped get paramedics and firefighters to the home. 

Kyle said it was like something out of a horror movie, and the latest in a string of horrors for the family.

Just one year ago, Warden lost her eldest son — Kyle's brother — to a fentanyl overdose.

Kyle said at the time his mom was attacked, it seemed as if she had given up. Now, things are different. She's more like herself, he said.

"I'm hoping my mom can stand as a beacon for people in other abusive relationships."

Warden said she hasn't had time to really process the attack, but the community support since has helped her "come back into the world.

"I have met amazing people through this. It has renewed friendships, it has renewed family-member relationships," she said. 

Warden says the money from Sunday's event will be instrumental in helping her with her bills. The hairdresser and painter lost full use of her hands in the attack and has more surgeries still to go.

'The community will rally, they will help you'

But, she wants to host future fundraisers to help other people who have been impacted by domestic violence.

She also wants to raise awareness, and push bystanders to be more understanding and less judgmental.

"Statements like, 'Oh, I would have left after the first hit' or 'Why do you put up with it' — things like that will make people shut down and feel shame," she said. 

Nadine Wood, who co-organized the fundraiser, says it still seems surreal that this attack happened to her best friend. 

"She is ready to fight and she is ready to stand up for all those other people out there who can't stand up for themselves."

Wood said it's not the first time she's known someone who has experienced domestic violence.

"There's no shame in coming forward to say you're being abused. As scary as it is, come forth," Wood said.

"The community will rally, they will help you."