The victims of Ariel Castro who were trapped inside the Cleveland house of horrors for a decade have spoken out and appear stronger than ever. Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight appeared in a newly released video in which they thank the community for the support and donors who donated to Cleveland Courage Fund.
The video, which is three and a half minutes long, was posted on YouTube late Monday by Hennes Paynter Communications, the public relations firm that the three young women and their families hired after they were freed from captivity.
The footage also marks the first public appearance of Michelle Knight since 2002. It was not even know that she had been kidnapped until she was found in Castro's home on Seymour Avenue on May 6.
"I may have been through hell and back, but I am strong enough to walk through hell with a smile on my face and with my head held high and with my feet firmly on the ground," Knight says. "Walking hand in hand with my best friend, I will not let the situation define who I am. I will define the situation."
Watch the touching video below:
The women thanked donors who support the fund which has been helping them make the transition from 10 years of captivity to independence. It has received $1.05 million from 9,200 donors, and some of the money has flowed to the women and their families already.
Former bus driver Ariel Castro has pleaded not guilty to a 329-count indictment alleging he kidnapped the women off the streets between 2002 and 2004 and held them captive in his two-story home.
Ariel Castro raped and beat the girls, according to reports. Castro fathered a 6-year-old daughter with Berry and is accused of starving and punching Knight, causing her to miscarry. He was arrested May 6, shortly after Berry broke through a door at the home and yelled to neighbors for help.
