Dear Friend,

Many people might not know how complicated and dangerous leaving a violent relationship really is, and how much courage and support is needed to escape the violence and create safety. The cycle of violence is a powerful dynamic and circumstances are unpredictable.
 

When Maria S. called POV’s LA Rape and Battering 24/7 crisis hotline, she was experiencing physical violence and emotional abuse in her relationship with her husband and was asking for help. She was seeking safety for herself and her two young boys, ages 6 and 8. The hotline provided immediate crisis support and referred her to an advocate/case manager. It takes a village. 

Maria’s primary concern was for her safety and the safety of her children, which continued to be compromised by living with her abusive partner and the father of her children. Relocating was a top priority, and Maria’s case manager connected her with POV’s housing navigator. The housing navigator was able to confirm Maria’s eligibility for relocation funding. They located an available apartment and secured funding for Maria’s first and last month’s rent and initial deposit; they also liaised with the landlord so that Maria and her boys could move into their new home, preventing homelessness for this family. It takes a village.

Once Maria and her children had secured housing, the case manager referred her to POV’s legal department. Maria was afraid because her abuser was a U.S. citizen while she was undocumented and he had threatened to get her deported and take the children away from her. POV’s immigration team filed a confidential VAWA self-petition and green card application so that Maria could obtain legal permanent residency and no longer live in fear of retaliation from her abuser. The family law team also helped her file a restraining order and seek primary custody of her children. It takes a village.

Throughout this process, Maria and her children received trauma counseling through POV’s clinical services department, and remain current clients as they continue to settle and heal. Maria was able to keep her job and her kids remained in school. With education and support from POV, Maria became an empowered advocate for herself and her family, and was able to focus on healing from the trauma of abuse. It takes a village.

All of this was done at no cost to the survivor. POV provides wraparound services with no charge to survivors of domestic and sexual violence and their families. POV served nearly 25,000 individuals this year, many with stories like Maria’s, receiving critical and comprehensive services. While the need for services continues to grow, funding is being cut, which will impact our capacity to serve survivors like Maria.

It takes a village to intervene in violent crises and it takes a village to prevent violence from happening in the first place. POV is committed to doing both. As we work along the continuum of social service, social change and social justice, help us meet the needs of the diverse and deserving communities that we serve. This system of support is reliant upon funding to ensure skillful and seamless trauma informed services.

Leaving an abusive relationship is one of the most difficult and life changing challenges a person can face - and it is almost impossible to do on one’s own, especially when children are involved. It takes a village. It takes a community and a team of advocates, time, resources, perseverance, and courage. It takes networks of support, collaborations, and… it takes you. POV is turning to you, our village of supporters, friends and allies to help us continue to be a village of support for survivors of sexual and domestic violence and their families.