Paige DeSorbo Honored for Courageous Domestic Violence Advocacy

Paige DeSorbo received the Variety Courage Award for her dedicated advocacy on behalf of domestic violence survivors. The "Summer House" alum shared her personal journey, recounting the profound impact of her experience with abuse at 19. She stressed that domestic violence does not discriminate, affecting individuals regardless of their outward appearance or perceived strength.

DeSorbo highlighted the vital support her cat, Daphne, provided during her healing. This personal connection fuels her commitment to Purina's Purple Leash Project, which aims to ensure domestic abuse survivors do not have to choose between their safety and their pets. She advocates for pet-friendly shelters, acknowledging the immense difficulty of leaving an abusive situation.

Reflecting on her story shared on her podcast "Giggly Squad," DeSorbo noted that courage involves being afraid yet choosing honesty to help others feel less alone. She acknowledged that more than 12 million people face domestic violence annually, including a significant portion of women and men, and that stigma often silences survivors. Her advocacy aims to empower survivors, showing them there is a path forward and that the abuse is not their fault.