A Victim of Domestic Violence and her 4 Kids -- Emergency Funds for Shelter, Clothing, and Legal Fees

For 14 years "K." (Alias for Victim) has been married to a man who spent nearly every night drunk.

He has been emotionally and mentally abusive on a routine basis. Created an unsafe environment for his children. He has injured her physically, the details of which are horrific, and too private to show online. It has been loveless, hopeless, and crushing to her mental health.

Finally he filed for divorce against her. Hired an attorney for himself and left her financially cut off with no option to defend herself, and no explanation of her rights. The depression & anxiety left her socially isolated out of shame and fear of retaliation against her and her children. After the death of her mother a few years ago, she's without any immediate family support. She was alone and facing destitution in the divorce.

He told her if she makes this difficult for him, he'll crush her.

He thought she was alone and helpless. Incapable of defending herself. He had her right where he wanted her: isolated, penniless, taking full custody of the kids for himself, and the petition says she'll be paying all of his legal fees.

Then she reached out for help online, and her friends have reminded her she'll never be alone without family or a home as long as we're here.

This ruined his plans. And he was enraged.

Fearing for the lives of her children and herself, she wanted out, and called us. Finally after over a decade of keeping her suffering private, she was leaving -- and he disconnected the battery of her car. So we came to escort the boys and her to safety. He wouldn't let them go. The police were called, the boys demanded they be allowed to leave with their mother, and he lost it. Beat the side of a car in, and was arrested for Domestic Violence for the first time. Now under a protection order, he can't hide who he really is and blame the woman he beat down for his shortcomings anymore.

She's fully cut off from accessing their shared bank accounts, and cannot afford a divorce attorney of her own and assistance understanding her rights regarding the upcoming criminal trial. She's safe, the kids are safe, and have been provided shelter through friends, but only temporarily.

We have contacted several lawyers for the divorce and custody battle ahead, and they require a $3500 retainer up front. More for additional fees and Court filings brings us to $4000.

We've established an account for her to access these funds, without violating the terms of the divorce, so they can be used for this case.

Please help K. and her boys find safety and hope. Your support means everything right now.