Gaining the Support to Make a New Life for Herself
Anne had heard it all before, but this time, her husband pleaded, things would be different. He would stop his drinking and his violent outbursts. For the sake of her four children, she agreed to try again with a move out of state.
Three months later, Anne and her children returned to our shelter. Her husband had become more violent once he started drinking again. Anne met with a counselor every week, attended support groups, and spent many hours with a peer counselor. Here she learned about the cycle of violence, how to set goals, and how to find a permanent home for herself and her children.
Several months later, she and a friend moved into a house. Monarch Services provided furniture and food and our community donors supplied sheets, blankets, and towels to help Anne and her children start their new lives. Anne’s children were especially happy to be moving into their own home.
Many of our clients, including Anne, are not ready to leave their relationship the first time they ask for help. On average, a woman will leave an abusive relationship seven times before she leaves for good, according to the National Domestic Violence Hotline. What’s most important is that they can receive the help they need wherever they are and feel empowered to make decisions for lasting change.