Three women freed two months ago after spending years in captivity in a home in Cleveland, Ohio have spoken publicly for the first time in a video released Monday night.

In the three -minute, 30-second video posted to YouTube, the women --- Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus, and Michelle Knight -- thank their families and the public for their prayers and ask for privacy as they try to return to normal lives.

The video was uploaded by a public relations agency on the women's behalf with the co-operation of their lawyers. It offers the first full look at the women since they were released from the home of Ariel Castro, a former school bus driver who allegedly kept them as prisoners for years.

Police allege the women were kidnapped separately between 2002 and 2004, when they were 14, 16, and 20 years old.

Castro is currently facing 329 charges, including kidnapping, gross sexual imposition, assault and 139 counts of rape. He has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled to go to trial on Aug. 5.

Berry, 27, who appears with shorter, blonder hair than seen in the first pictures that emerged after her release, speaks first in the video and says she is happy to be home with her family and friends.

“I want to thank everyone who has helped me and my family through this entire ordeal... I'm getting stronger each day,” she says.

She does not mention the six-year-old daughter she has who police say was fathered by Castro.

Gina DeJesus, 23, sits with her parents and speaks only one line to thank those who have contributed to a fund that has raised more than $1 million for the trio.

Knight wears glasses and speaks at length, though with some difficulty. It is Knight who police believe was taken captive first, and bore some of the worst beatings including punches that caused her to miscarry five times.

The 32-year-old thanks her supporters and reports that she is doing “just fine” and looking forward to her “brand new life.”

“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,” she says.

Knight says she believes God has a plan for her, and she will not be consumed by hatred.

The discovery of Knight at the house in May surprised authorities, since it hadn’t been known she had been kidnapped.

In August 2002, Knight had left home after a fight with her family, and vanished. While her mother reported her missing, the case was eventually dropped because Knight was legally an adult at the time of her disappearance.

The three women were finally found when Berry was able to break through a door and yell for help.

Castro's two brothers were arrested the same day, but were released a few days later after it was determined they weren't aware of their brother’s alleged crimes.