A deeply personal and alarming account from Dr. Rose Moten is shedding light on the often-hidden dangers of domestic violence, particularly in the aftermath of separation and divorce.
Moten, a psychologist, author, speaker, and media expert, recently shared a 16-year-old experience in which she believes she narrowly escaped a murder plot.
“The night a hitman saved my life…It’s taken me 16 years to publicly share my story, but after so many heartbreaking 💔stories of women being taken from their children, family and friends in the last few weeks, I felt it was time to shed light on how so many women are at risk daily of becoming a statistic and what both men and women must do to stop femicide,” she shared on Instagram
Her decision to speak publicly now comes amid growing concern over a surge in killings of women across the United States, many linked to intimate partner violence.
Presenting her story as both a warning and a call to action, Moten described years of escalating threats following her divorce.
While she noted there had been no abuse during the marriage itself, she said the dynamic changed dramatically after she filed for separation, triggering a pattern of harassment, intimidation, and repeated confrontations that led to multiple police reports and protective measures.
The most chilling moment, she recounted, came in 2010 when a colleague approached her at work and began describing a situation involving individuals seeking to harm a woman connected to a divorce.
As the man revealed increasingly specific details, including the woman’s location, family structure, and home, Moten realized he was describing her!
He ultimately disclosed her name, confirming that she had been the intended target. Instead of acting on the alleged request, the man chose to warn her, an intervention Moten believes saved her life.
Her account highlights a critical and well-documented risk factor in domestic violence cases: the period following separation. Experts widely recognize this phase as one of the most dangerous for victims, when threats can escalate into lethal outcomes.
Moten’s experience also underscores broader systemic concerns. Despite documented threats, legal interventions, and repeated attempts to seek protection, the situation escalated significantly, reflecting patterns advocates say are common in cases of intimate partner violence.
Her testimony comes at a time of heightened awareness. In 2026 alone, at least 13 Black women have been reported killed in incidents ranging from domestic disputes to targeted attacks. Advocates warn that these cases represent only a fraction of the true scale, with many incidents going unreported or receiving limited public attention.
“These are not isolated incidents,” advocates have stated, pointing to a persistent pattern of violence affecting women across different settings, from homes and workplaces to public spaces.
By sharing her story, Moten is urging a more proactive and collective response. She stressed that preventing violence requires engagement from both men and women, as well as stronger institutional support, earlier intervention, and greater accountability.
Her survival story is, in a nutshell, a broader caution: recognizing warning signs and taking threats seriously can be the difference between life and death.
