Help a Mother Escape Injustice and Protect Her Children

Anonymous for Safety

Due to ongoing legal battles and safety concerns, I must remain unnamed. I hope you understand why.

For over a decade, I've lived in the shadows of fear, control, and abuse. My children and I have endured what no family should- physical pain, emotional devastation, and a justice system that has continuously failed to protect us.

I became a mother at 16. What should have been the beginning of a beautiful journey turned into years of suffering. Despite documented abuse, broken bones, and endless threats to my life,the system has chosen to look away. I have heard things like "the court system is broken", "the system has not caught up with mental disorders", " the courts absolutely believe abuse is occuring but our hands are tied". After over 80 court hearings and more than $30,000 in legal fees we are still trapped- caught in a legal loop where "he hasn't abused the children enough to make a change".

My abuser continues to share 50/50 custody. He has ignored court orders including to comply with attending 3 levels up to the highest level of Domestic Abuse Prevention Programs, threatened my life, and has followed me across state lines after I was granted a protection order. Yet- he is not held accountable. OUr former judge, now exposed online for mishandling domestic violence cases, has left behind a path of destruction I am still trying to survive.

I used to be naive and not understand domestic violence. I would see commercials and hear stories and think to myself, why doesn't that person just leave? I always said I would leave if I ever found myself in that situation. But I must admit, it took a psychotherapist slamming an abuse wheel in my face for me to understand that he does not "just have anger issues and I am the only one who understands him." I was caught in an extremely abusive marriage. They say the hardest part is leaving. I will agree but I have learned the hardest part is the obsession with destroying you that some develop once you are gone is the worst and most scary. I had a victims advocate present at a hearing who documented him for stalking. She warned that there were a few pieces they look at when determining if someone is likely to actually kill. He met all of those. I asked, "is this how women end up killed? Speaking out in court and then having the courts do nothing which in turn only angers the abuser?" She looked at me with tears in her eyes and said "yes". She advised, "my children and I pack up and move...anywhere".

I am a hardworking small business owner. But due to early stages of business, the inability to take out a loan, and the current economic landscape I have no run out of options. I have fought tirelessly to keep my children safe, provide for them, and shield them from harm. But the legal system is built like a chessboard- the one who runs out of resources first...loses. I have fought to protect my children to set an example of them fighting for what is right and always doing the right thing even when they think no one else is looking. For that reason I cannot earn money in any way I would not be proud of. I have wrestled with starting a page for a couple of years because I struggle with asking for things from people. But now I truly need help.

Right now, I have no more to give.

-I am scheduled for an epidural due to severe neck injuries from abuse

-I have paid for everything in cash because divorce destroyed my credit

-I cannot afford to retain another lawyer (my current attorney just withdrew due to non payment despite the loads of money already given).

-I cannot afford to secure my home with bars or otherwise let alone a basic relocation

- We live every day with fear of retaliation and we have nowhere to run

I am asking- with every ounce of humility- for help. For anyone with a heart for mothers, for survivors, for innocent children caught in between... please help us continue the fight

Every dollar will go directly toward:

-Continued legal representation

-Security upgrades to our home (window bars, locks)

-Medical care and trauma recovery

-Emergency relocation if necessary

We are not just statistics. We are humans. And we are desperate for a way out.

If you cannot give, please share this. Let the world know that victims deserve justice. Children deserve peace. And survival should NOT come with a price tag.

Thank you for seeing us. Thank you for fighting with us.

- A Mother, Fighting for Freedom