SARATOGA SPRINGS — Marjorie Bromley keeps a simple card that says, "Healing Me."

On a red background, there are two photos of her; one of Bromley holding her grandson and the other of her beaming taken 6 years later.

"It just kind of shows where I was and where I am now," Bromley said.

The photo with her grandson, taken in 2000, reminds Bromley of the life she left behind.

"I don't think I knew how to really love myself because I didn't feel loved," she said.

The ‘after' picture reminds her of the new life she's since fully embraced.

"I can honestly say I've never been happier," she said.

In 2001, Bromley left a 30-year marriage and an abusive husband.

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From a distance they appear to only be ragged T-shirts on a clothesline. But when viewed up close, it's clear the shirts carry powerful messages.

"I had police say that I was living with a walking time bomb," she said.

Bromley, who didn't go into details of the abuse, says she got help when she saw her daughter was in an abusive relationship too.

"It was the 'ah ha' moment for me," she said. "I realized that if I had any part in this and bringing pain to my children, I didn't want to be there."

The encouraging news is more women may be seeking help. The YWCA of Salt Lake provides shelter to victims. In 2011, it had to refer more than a thousand women to other services — the highest number in recent years — because the beds were full.

"We are often 100 percent full and juggling beds to meet the needs of those coming in," said Keri Jones, chief program officer for the YWCA.

The grim reality is most murder victims never ask for help.

That may have been the case for Jennifer Brackenbury, whose body was found in her Orem trailer home on Oct. 26.

Her boyfriend, Steven Gray, fled to Washington state and turned himself in to authorities in Yakima. Gray has not yet been convicted of a crime.

A week before, Ogden police arrested Jeffery Dean White for the alleged murder of his girlfriend, Marnie Stark. Stark's family knew she was in an abusive relationship but couldn't get her out.

"I hear of homicides like the two that just occurred. My first reaction is horror as I hope our community is reaction," Jones said.

Statistics show the number of domestic violence murders has remained consistent since 2010, accounting for 35 to 40 percent of all adult homicides.

But advocates have recently seen women with more critical injuries like broken bones, head trauma and strangulation.

"The danger is going up. The injuries are more severe and then, of course, it's more accelerated," said Peg Coleman, the executive director of the Utah Domestic Violence Council.

She says more women with high-risk cases are calling the statewide anonymous hotline.

Bromley encourages victims to get help in any way they can.

"I think that's the greatest gift we can give to ourself is the gift of happiness," Bromley said.

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