Woman Who Hid Face Due To Domestic Abuse Gets Plastic Surgery

InAmerica, one in three women and one in four men have been victims of physical violence by an intimate partner. Most abuse occurs between people who know each other well or have been in a relationship. Emotional abuse is also a large factor in domestic abuse and can take longer to heal than physical wounds or scars. Victims of abuse are no strangers to hiding their wounds for long periods of time, but for some, they never stop hiding. One woman gave years to keeping behind a mask so no one could see the effects of her abuse. Then she learned that she didn't have to hide anymore, and it was all because of one woman.

Saundra Crockett was a young mother of two children.

She was looking forward to the life ahead of her, but when she was 28, her plans for the future changed drastically.

Her husband beat her severely.

One beating was so bad it caused an infection that ate away at her face. She went to the hospital and was told she had three days to live, but she survived. She hid behind a mask and did so for the next 12 years.

Saundra had to figure out how to still be a mother to her children after leaving her husband.

“They could hear my voice so they knew who I was, but they didn’t know who I was because of my face. It was, ah, pretty awful.” But then she met Deborah Alessi, a survivor of domestic abuse herself.

Deborah started an organization called Facing Forward.

They offer free facial reconstruction surgery to victims of physical abuse. “It’s very difficult sometimes ... They have to look in the mirror and be reminded this man or this woman or this mother did this to me." Her husband, Dr. David Alessi, performs the surgeries and together they were able to help Saundra.

Saundra was able to have surgery for free.

Before she wasn't able to close her left eye or open her mouth to eat. “This is a thousand times better than what I looked like when this first happened to me. I don’t think I could even describe how awful it was." 

But surgery is only part of the process. All patients must also go to therapy. “If they don’t get the therapy with the surgery, which we provide, then they are going to continue to date an abuser, and if we can help change that pattern, then that’s why we’re here,” says Deborah.

This too is free, but there is a catch.

After surgery, all patients must sign a form saying they will pay it forward and become advocates for domestic abuse.

Saundra had her surgery four years ago.

Now she says she has the confidence to go out in public without her mask and be an example to others. “If I can speak to one person and give them hope that this doesn’t have to happen to you, I think that it’s my job to do that."

If you are a victim of domestic abuse, there is help!

Call The National Domestic Violence Helpline, 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) that is available 24/7 or visit their website.You are not alone.

Main and collage images via YouTube / CBS Los Angeles