Help a Single Mom and Daughter Rebuild After Abuse

My name is Steph. I am a survivor of domestic violence. For over 8 years, I was a stay-at-home mom raising my daughter while enduring emotional, financial, and coercive control at the hands of my soon to be ex husband, a first responder. When I found the strength to file for divorce, the abuse didn’t stop—it got worse.

My daughter and I both have faced emotional manipulation, financial abandonment, and legal abuse, all of which have left my daughter and me struggling to survive. My soon to be ex husband, who I supported through his career while putting my own dreams on hold, has completely walked away from his financial responsibilities. I sacrificed my career to be there for our family, but now, I’m left to figure out everything on my own.

The legal system has failed us. Despite overwhelming evidence of his erratic and threatening behavior, including breaking into our home, the courts have denied my request for a restraining order. He has used his position and resources to manipulate the system, leaving my daughter and me vulnerable and unprotected.

Our home is now in the process of foreclosure, and I am doing everything I can to provide stability for my daughter. Re-entering the workforce after years as a stay-at-home mom has been an uphill battle, but I am determined to rebuild our lives in safety and peace.

Above all, I am determined to fight for what is right for my daughter and ensure she has a healthy stable home. She has been through so much already, witnessing the chaos and pain caused by her own father. I want her to know that no matter how hard it gets, I will always stand up for her safety, well-being, and happiness. Every child deserves a stable, loving home, and I am committed to doing whatever it takes to provide that for her. She is my strength and my reason to keep going, even on the toughest days.

The funds raised through this campaign will help us secure safe housing, cover legal fees, and meet essential expenses so that my daughter and I can have a fresh start that we desperately need.

Domestic violence doesn’t always leave visible scars. Coercive control, financial abuse, and legal abuse are some of the silent weapons used to trap survivors in their situations. Many women stay because they fear for their safety, lack financial independence, or feel overwhelmed by the system that is supposed to protect them.

Every minute, 24 people in the U.S. are victims of DV by an intimate partner. My story is not uncommon, but I am determined to change its ending—for myself and my daughter.

Your support, whether through a donation or by sharing this campaign, means more than words can express.

Thank you for finding it in your heart to help someone in their time of need.

With gratitude,

Steph