Cleveland House of Horror Victims Given Courage Awards

There was thunderous applause for the victims of Cleveland’s House of Horrors. Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus, and Michelle Knight were given courage awards by Ohio’s governor.

The women were imprisoned and held as sex slaves for a decade inside the home of Ariel Castro.  

Governor John Kasich said at the event, “No one rescued them. They rescued themselves by staying strong and by sticking together. Then, literally breaking out into freedom!”

This is the first time the women have appeared together in public since their escape in May. Castro was sentenced to a 1,000 years behind bars but hanged himself with a bed sheet just three weeks into his sentence.   

The sustained ovation that greeted the women after the governor's State of the State address lasted more than two minutes. The audience at the state capitol was overjoyed. Amanda, Gina, and Michelle smiled and waved and were touched by the warm reception, which was certainly well deserved.