Advocacy groups and police departments around southwestern Connecticut are using Domestic Violence Awareness Month to encourage and empower victims to leave their dangerous situations.

Weston native Tiffany Fontana says she escaped an abusive marriage. According to Fontana, her husband verbally abused her early in their relationship, but then progressed to physical abuse. Fontana says her husband insisted their family move temporarily to Brazil, but the move turned out to be permanent.

Advocates say many women are trapped in abusive relationships abroad. They estimate only one in 500 women in Fontana's situation are able to escape.

To find out how Fontana beat the odds and found safety in Greenwich, tune in Thursday at 5:00 p.m.