Paige DeSorbo Honored with Variety Courage Award for Advocacy

DeSorbo first shared her experience of physical and emotional abuse on her Giggly Squad podcast in December 2024, revealing a period of her life that had remained private for over a decade. By breaking her silence, she aimed to dismantle the stigma often surrounding survivors and offer a sense of recognition to others. During the ceremony, Sims emphasized that DeSorbo’s advocacy is driven by a desire to ensure no one feels isolated, noting the importance of providing a platform for those who have experienced abuse.

A central component of DeSorbo’s recovery has been her relationship with her cat, Daphne. This bond served as a focal point for her advocacy, highlighting the critical role pets play in providing safety and comfort for survivors. This mission aligns with the Purple Leash Project, a partnership between Purina and the nonprofit RedRover, which funds pet-friendly amenities in domestic violence shelters. Currently, nearly half of all survivors report delaying their departure from abusive situations due to concerns for their pets, yet only 20% of shelters nationwide offer pet-inclusive spaces. Since 2019, the project has distributed over $2.2 million in grants to bridge this gap, with an ambitious goal of providing one million safe nights for survivors and their pets by 2030.