By The Survivors Club Staff
November 18, 2009

She is primarily known as a lively judge on Fox TV's So You Think You Can Dance competition show, yet choreographer Mary Murphy experience also includes a painful period as a battered wife more than 30 years ago. Recently, she opened up about the alleged abuse, spurred by other celebrities' public struggle with the problem and the upcoming International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

Appearing on CNN's Larry King Live, Murphy said it took her nine years to move past the relationship in which violence was fueled by bouts of jealousy.

She also admitted that it was only when she discovered her talent for dance that she gained enough confidence to leave her husband, a decision that has allowed her to pursue a thriving and fulfilling career.

"I put this behind me, went out and worked like I've never worked before," she told King.

Statistics suggest an estimated 1.3 million women are victims of physical assault by an intimate partner each year, and approximately 5.8 million children were involved in abuse allegations in 2007 alone.

Experts agree that it is difficult to break the cycle of domestic violence without outside intervention. They therefore recommend that those affected by it seek help from law enforcement, social workers or healthcare providers.

Survivors can access valuable resources through the website of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, while victims of abuse may use the National Domestic Violence Hotline, which is available in all 50 states and offers confidential and anonymous around-the-clock help.