Cleveland Kidnap Victims First Appearance Since Rescue from Ariel Castro [VIDEO]: Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus & Michelle Knight Express Thanks

Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight just made their first appearance since being rescued from a decade of captivity in the Cleveland home of Ariel Castro. On top of being kidnapped, the three young women were reportedly beaten, held and raped by Castro over the time of their imprisonment. Castro is now in custody and facing charges of aggravated murder for a forced termination of one of the women's unborn child. Further charges will be brought down upon Castro as well. Each victim speaks separately in this video, which was released at midnight by the PR firm hired by their families, but they do not talk about their life after being rescued. They mainly wanted to thank everyone for the support they have received.

"First and foremost, I want to everyone to know how happy I am to be home," Amanda Berry states at the start of this video, which was shot on July 2 but released earlier today.

"Everyone who has been there to support us has been a blessing," she said, referring to a special fund that has been put together for the victims.

The Cleveland Courage Fund - a trust fund to help the women as well as Berry's daughter, born in captivity, make the transition back into normal life - has raised more than a million dollars so far.

"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 said. "Walking hand in hand with my best friend, I will not let the situation define who I am. I will define the situation."

"I don't want to be consumed by hatred," Knight said of her harrowing past. "With that being said, we need to take a leap of faith and know God is in control. God has a plan for all of us. The plan that he gave me is to help others who have been in the same situation I have been in."

Michelle Knight concluded: "Thank you for all of your prayers. I'm looking forward to my brand-new life."

Check out the video right here: