Hello, my name is Jen and I have been in an Intimate Partner domestic abuse relationship for 6 years. I never thought I'd find myself in this situation. I am an intelligent person but ignorant to what the definition of domestic abuse truly is. The abuse was never physical but he knows the consequences of leaving physical evidence due to being a firefighter and EMT. His continued abuse consists of emotional, verbal, sexual, medical and financial. Due to lack of money my children & I are still living at home with our abuser.

We are a blended family of 4. I have three children from a previous marriage and my abuser and I share a son. My 19 year old is currently serving our Country. My gifted 17 year old is pretty set on attending college; Veterinary Med & Wildlife Biology. My 15 year old is considering the medical field. And my 3 year old is happy coloring. We purchased a home and land a little over a year ago. Right before I was laid off from my job. I have been able to keep financially afloat due to wise spending. However, this February marked the first time that I wasn't able to pay my portion of the bills. Well aware of the situation, I was not allowed to get a job. After being told by my abuser that the bills would be covered, he did not pay. I began to sell off my belongings to attempt to pay, not only my portion of the bills, but cover basic necessities for my children and gas for our family vehicle. Doing so only angered my abuser. He has made getting a job extremely difficult and has left us without money.

I filed a restraining order against him and at our first hearing I asked for a continuance due to not having legal counsel. I was in the process of getting New Mexico Legal Aid to assist me. He lawyered up. NM Legal Aid is offering "brief services" in my fight for full custody of our son and for the retention of our home. I will basically have to represent myself & be my own advocate in court. I do not feel comfortable representing myself in the battle for my son and do not have the financial resources to hire an attorney.

Please assist me in hiring an attorney to help my children and I out. If there is a way to repay each donor back, I would do it. I'm willing to do so. I know times are pressing. If you can't help us financially please say a prayer for us. We are firm believers in the power of prayer and Spirit.