Hello. I decided to create this fundraiser for someone very near and dear to my heart. There is a small group of us who have been involved in this process, and we've been making things happen, but more help is needed. I'm not using her photo or her children's for privacy purposes. I hope you can understand that and receive this message in your heart.

She's about 5'4 and her abuser is well over 6'0. She might be 120, and he's more than twice that. They've been together for over a decade and share children. She tried to leave on more than one occasion but quickly learned that his power and resources had more weight with the authorities than her descriptions of events, or even her bruises.

The abuse was more prevalent at certain times than others and varied from mental abuse by berating her and controlling her, to physically harming her as he saw fit. Why didn't she leave? He paid for and controlled everything. She couldn't afford a place to stay (shelters aren't permanent, and one child has aged out) or an attorney to fight for custody of the children.

The difference this time is that she finally opened up to us about what had been going on. She has made tremendous strides, including having him arrested with several charges, but now it's time for a family attorney to fight for custody and, quite honestly, their ability to leave the state so they can live safely and peacefully with supportive family.

The retainer is 5k, and several attorneys have repeated this fee along with the warning, "This will be a long and hard fight." She's ready for the fight, and so are we. Any amount donated is that much less she'll need to come up with or be concerned about.

Time is of the essence as the court date can be announced at any time. She needs representation. We truly appreciate every dollar contributed. Thank you, and God bless.