Introduction
In 2024, Northwest Justice Project aided 216 people in obtaining Domestic Violence Protection Orders and protective parenting plans. One of these people was Romey, whose partner sexually assaulted and nearly killed her. April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and in sharing her story our goal is to honor all survivors, their courage and perseverance. Legal aid is one indispensable tool in supporting their journey to a safe and secure future.
Romey’s Story
I was in my early 20s, pursuing a degree in paramedicine, and excited to be in a new relationship. About four months in, my boyfriend’s true colors started shining through and narcissistic control became the backbone of our relationship. Things had moved fast and he was living with us until his behavior escalated. My parents kicked him out. I gave him one last chance.
I woke up in the hospital. I told him that the relationship was over, but he wouldn’t take ‘no’ for an answer. He had invited me over to his place and sexually assaulted me until I stopped breathing. He announced that we would be on a ‘break’ and continued to be manipulative and coercive. I was scared and just wanted everything to go back to normal.
In September 2022, the police got involved. My abuser had held a gun to his head and threatened to shoot himself in a final display of toxic control.
Seeking safety and support
I was exhausted from months of being in fight-or-flight mode and needed to get away. My mother and I boarded a plane to California to put some distance between me and my ex-boyfriend until we had a plan in motion.
I began to process the trauma as I filled out stacks of paperwork to petition for a Domestic Violence Protection Order (DVPO). I came back to Spokane, filed the petition, and waited for the hearing date. On the day of the hearing, a miscommunication between courtrooms led to the case being dismissed.
Luckily, an advocate from Lutheran Social Services overheard the situation and offered to assist me. They forwarded all my information to Northwest Justice Project (NJP) and I got a call just a few days later from Robert, an NJP attorney. Robert said that he had already read through the details of my situation and asked if he could represent me in court. I felt like someone was in my corner with the expertise to guide me through the process.
We submitted a new DVPO petition—and I learned that my ex-boyfriend had hired an attorney to contest it. The next few months were chaotic as I navigated multiple attacks on my character from my ex's friends. Robert stayed in regular communication with me for weeks, going above and beyond to answer all my questions and put my mind at ease.
Facing the final hearing
A court commissioner reviewed the case and determined that it needed to be heard by a judge. On the day of the final hearing, the judge had already reviewed pages of witness statements and police reports. Robert had prepared me for what to expect and I stayed calm during the barrage of insults fired at me by my ex’s attorney.
Robert stayed by my side during the hearing. I never felt like I had to fight alone. When the judge granted the DVPO for a year and assured me that it could be extended, I felt a huge weight lift off my shoulders. I finally feel safe to move on with my life.
Because a Protection Order can save a life, DONATE today to Northwest Justice Project.