Now, Gallo is using her platform to advocate for domestic violence (DV) victims and she has a huge task ahead of her: Gallo is working to open a domestic violence shelter in her home state of Virginia.
“I’m currently working on opening an emergency shelter for women to provide an immediate safe place by providing housing, food, clothing and other support services to DV victims and their children,” Gallo told Newsweek via email. “The county where I currently live only has one shelter with 18 beds for half a million people residing in the county and there is a definite need for more.”
Gallo was eventually acquitted after a successful defense of temporary insanity was mounted. Her now ex-husband John Wayne Bobbitt also faced charges, but was found innocent of the charges of domestically abusing Gallo. The world has moved on from the case but Gallo is still telling her story.
Gallo recently shared her side in the Lifetime movie I Was Lorena Bobbitt which gave her the chance to speak out against domestic violence on a larger platform once more. She continues to spread the message through the Lorena Gallo Foundation. Gallo often appears as a keynote speaker to address the topic of domestic violence.
“[Domestic violence] doesn’t discriminate,” she explained to Newsweek. “I would hope that by watching the film that women will better understand the warning signs of domestic violence and would relate these signs to their own situation. I personally have gotten a lot of positive feedback from people (both men and woman) that knew who I was, but didn’t know my story and history of abuse. They didn’t know that I was abused and have thanked me for sharing my story.”
As for the target audience? Gallo hopes her message reaches young women, particularly between the ages of 18 and 24. Gallo’s own experience and fight for change seem to inspire her message. “Silence is not an option and I will continue to share my story to educate people about DV and sexual assault,” she said.
John Wayne Bobbitt has denied all allegations that he abused Gallo.
You can watch I Was Lorena Bobbitt through Lifetime now.
