Domestic abuse survivor wants to change and create laws to save lives

TAMPA - Patty Parra-Perez lost her two children, but survived an attack by her estranged husband.  Now she is trying to protect the lives of others.

Parra-Perez was shot six years ago in December.  You can barely see the scar of the bullet wound on her head.

Her estranged husband, Robert O'Mara found her. But what happened to her wasn't even the worst of it. He killed their children, Lauren and Sean, only 12 and 11 years old, in front of Parra-Perez's eyes.

"I do remember what happened, and I don't want to disclose the details of that night," she said.

The memory surprises her. The bullet went through her brain. She had to learn virtually everything again. So, why would she remember seeing her kids perish?  A woman of strong faith, she feels it's because of a new mission.

"I want to improve domestic violence laws," Parra-Perez said.

She's doing it by sharing her story, like she did at a Cup of Hope event.

An organization that helps domestic violence victims with legal issues. Parra-Perez has also joined forces with Hillsborough County's Family Justice Center -- another group that helps victims.

Her dream is to head to Tallahassee.  She wants to strengthen current laws and create new ones.  She is focused on three.

First, Parra-Perez wants injunction guidelines rewritten.  She had an injunction against her husband and it didn't stop him.

Patty has spoken to numerous judges who point to jail overcrowding.

The second law she wants is a minimum penalty for abusers, perhaps at least house arrest.

And, lastly, one of her most important pushes, requiring and providing resources for children in schools.  "The only way you are going to get empowered is if you know what to do," Parra-Perez said.

Her husband died the night he shot her and killed their kids. He turned the gun on himself. Patty says part of her died too. 

"I want to invite people to speak up and put an end to the silence of domestic violence and abuse," she said.

But, if she can save one life, the survivor says she would know why she is here today.