'You're not alone': Saskatoon woman turns the page on years of domestic violence

For one Saskatoon woman, Dec. 6 was not just the national day of action on violence against women — it was the day her abusive ex-husband was sentenced for his years of physical abuse against her.

For one Saskatoon woman, Dec. 6 was not just the national day of action on violence against women — it was the day her abusive ex-husband was sentenced for his years of physical abuse against her.

The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women honours the 14 women who were killed in a shooting rampage at a polytechnic in Montreal 35 years ago, and it aims to raise awareness and prevent gender-based violence.

It’s also a big day for Ashlee Saskiw. She says after years of physical, sexual and verbal abuse at the hands of her ex-husband, she's glad to leave court knowing he’s been sentenced to two years in federal prison.

Saskiw says their 11-year relationship started out “charming.”

“We were in high school together, so it was good at the beginning for a short period of time, and then it got bad fast,” she said in an interview with CTV News outside the courthouse on Friday.

She says after just three months, their relationship got violent. The mother of four says she wanted to leave, but didn’t know where to turn.

“I didn't know how to. I didn't know that there was so many resources out there for women like me,” she said.