Family Safety

Domestic violence survivor breaks cycle of abuse: “I was living in a delusional reality”

"When I met my ex, I was barely an adult. He had total of 15 years in prison already. I’d been to jail, but no hard-knock experience. We had three children together and were married eight years. There were always lots of marital issues—infidelity, secrets. I thought it was normal. I had grown up with trauma, neglect, abuse. I didn’t know any better."

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Client Story: Alicia

“Growing up in an abusive home, drugs were part of the life I always knew. As I got older, I made a bad choice and turned to drugs myself. I met my husband at a dealer’s house. Things were fine until we started using more and he became violent."

Client Story: Blanca

"After years of being in an abusive relationship, my daughter and I escaped. She’s still traumatized, and afraid, and always has a suitcase ready to go in case we have to run away from her father again."

Client Story: Alicia Butterfield

Growing up in an abusive home, drugs were part of the life I always knew. As I got older, I made a bad choice and turned to drugs myself. I met my husband at a dealer’s house. Things were fine until we started using more and he became violent. When I got pregnant, I chose […]

Client Story: Raymond Gregson

Three years ago, I came up from Oregon to get my life together. I remodeled casinos for 15 years until I lost my hand in a work-related accident. I lost my job and during my time in the hospital, I lost a lung and became addicted to opioids. They told me I had 3-4 years […]

Client Story: Martha Gamboa

I am a single mom and love spending time with my kids. They always come first. I was in an abusive and violent situation at home. My ex-husband told me that without immigration papers I had no rights and would lose my children if I complained. I’ve been here for 20 years, but I was […]