Stories of Hope
The following are stories of hope that we wish to share with the community. May they inspire those in need to seek out the help they so desperately deserve. Please stop back from time to time, as we will share with you new stories of hope.
Janet called the hotline after her husband had beaten her up. Her four children had all witnessed the fighting and yelling. Once he had passed out she gathered the children and the bag she had packed and hidden and walked quietly out the door. Once at the shelter she was able to rest and think clearer. She realized she wasn't alone and after some healing and hard work she began working part-time. She knew she had done the right thing when her 10-year-old son said he was proud of his mommy for saying "No More Hurting!"
Linda was afraid her husband would find her wherever she hid but she called the police and asked them to help after being kicked and threatened with a knife. The police called Women's Crisis Center and soon Linda was in shelter. Linda spent her shelter time developing goals for herself and, with the help of her counselor, learned more about domestic violence. She had not realized that many battered women have the feeling of never being safe and always feeling threatened. After attending workshops and working out her feelings Linda is now happily remarried, has two children and sends greeting cards to the staff once a year that includes pictures of her babies.
Carolyn thought her life was over when her husband put a gun to her head and cursed her. Fortunately a neighbor had heard the shouting and called the police who told Carolyn she would be safe at Women's Crisis Center shelter. Carolyn's husband was arrested and she was soon able to leave shelter and return home, but she continued her contact with Women's Crisis Center and joined the domestic violence support group. Recently, Carolyn told the group that fear had almost overwhelmed her and that having a safe place to stay made a big impact on her emotionally and physically. Carolyn said, "I would recommend shelter for anyone in that kind of situation. It is great to get help from people who see domestic violence all the time and know what happens. For me, it was a cave to curl up in until the storm blew past. Thank you!"
Samantha needed help from the police and courts to force her former fiancée to stay away from her and stop following her. Samantha was told by a friend that Women's Crisis Center had court advocates who could help, and a shelter she could stay in to be safe until she got an Emergency Protective Offer. Samantha got all the services she needed and stayed in shelter for 18 days. "He is a dangerous man," Samantha stated, "I am glad I found out there are things I can do to protect myself from him. The main thing I have learned from Women's Crisis Center is that I am not alone and that I have people I can turn to."
* Names have been changed to protect the survivor's identity.
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