Editor's Note: This is part of a series recounting the stories of domestic violence survivors, in honor of October's distinction as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The names of the survivors have been altered for their protection.

Joe Smith prides himself on taking care of others.

As a law enforcement officer within northeast Oklahoma, Smith often finds himself helping women who have been impacted by domestic violence.

It's a role filled with empathy.

It's also one filled with knowledge, because Smith, a 20-something-year-old man, is also a victim of domestic violence and sexual assault.

Being labeled as a domestic violence survivor was unexpected.

When he was 16, Smith entered into a dating relationship with his high school sweetheart. The couple became engaged and moved in with each two years later.

It was only then, after the pair combined households, the relationship soured.

"It started with little emotional mind games," Smith said, adding that it then grew to include economic, emotional and physical abuse.

"She would control the money, and what we used it for," Smith said. "She would spend it all...to be in control."

But he stayed with here. It was only when she began cheating on him with another man, that Smith decided to leave.

That moment, Smith said, is seared in his memory. His fiancee began hitting and choking him, as he tried gather his things.

Smith said, only then, did he go back against his instincts and strike her - in self defense.

"I wasn't going to hit a female," Smith said. "But that was the last straw. I never feared for my life as much as I did that night. It was my wakeup call."

The relationship left Smith with a lot of questions.

"I struggled a lot with relationships for a long time," Smith said. "I didn't trust females. I didn't want to go down that path again.

"I didn't know what love was. I didn't know what normal was."

He also worried about how his parents would react, knowing his fiancee abused him.

"I felt trapped. My parents were not happy with the relationship, and I was scared to go to them for help," Smith said. "When you are young, and in love, you think you know what love is."

But ultimately, his parents became his lifeline as he left the relationship.

"They still loved me," Smith said. "I went home, and tried to get my life back together.

"I struggled a lot at first, after that though."

The struggle was compounded, when Smith said, a man in authority in his life, sexually assaulted him.

In both instances, Smith said, he worried about how his colleagues and others would judge him, once the truth became public.

Through it all, Smith said, he's learned to forgive, which in turn, has helped with his healing process.

"[The abuse] has made me a better person," Smith said. "I do my job, as a law enforcement officer with a passion for those impacted by domestic violence and sexual abuse."

Smith is giving relationships a second chance, dating a woman who is also a domestic violence survivor.

He said the pair are taking their time, working to lay a strong relational foundation as they move forward, together.

Smith said the services offered through the Community Crisis Center have helped him rebuild his life.

He has utilized the center's counseling services, as well as its advocacy offerings as he has navigated the various legal systems as a victim, instead of as an officer.

"I've learned not to be afraid to try and get away," Smith said. "There's always options and support out there. No matter how hard it seems.

"You can be a survivor."

Smith said through counseling, he's learned to talk about his feelings and how to develop a healthy relationship with his current girlfriend.

"Domestic violence doesn't just happen to females," Smith said. "It's ok to come out, share your feelings and not hide them.

"Know that there is support out there. The Community Crisis ladies are amazing help.