I am creating this fundraiser for a woman I deeply care about, a mother named Carly, who is fighting one of the hardest battles a parent can face: protecting her children while navigating the legal and emotional aftermath of abuse.

It takes an incredible amount of courage for a woman to stand up to someone who has harmed her. Many never do, not because they are weak, but because they are terrified of what might happen next, especially when children are involved.

Carly found that courage.

She sought protection through the courts. A criminal protection order was granted, and more recently, a restraining order was also put in place. She did exactly what survivors are told to do. But what many people don’t realize until they are living it is this: leaving abuse does not end the fight. It often makes it more expensive, more exhausting, and more frightening.

Despite these protections, the court granted supervised visitation involving one of her children. The case moved into mediation, requiring Carly to continue navigating a complex legal system while carrying the emotional weight of protecting her family.

After months of legal fees, Carly has run out of money for her attorney.

This is the moment that keeps survivors awake at night.

When a mother cannot afford legal representation, she risks losing her voice in a system where advocacy matters. Survivors are often forced to choose between paying for protection or hoping the truth alone will be enough. Too often, safety becomes tied to finances rather than facts.

Carly is also carrying the weight of repeated trauma that began long before this case, patterns she is actively working to heal so her children never have to repeat them. She understands that protecting her family requires more than court orders alone. It requires counseling, emotional support, and the ability to remain grounded, present, and strong, especially during pregnancy.

She is doing the hard work to stop generational trauma.

But she cannot do it alone.

This fundraiser exists to help Carly continue accessing legal representation and support during one of the most critical periods of her life, so that safety, healing, and advocacy are not determined by who can afford to keep fighting.

Your support helps ensure that a pregnant mother’s courage is not punished with silence. Every donation and every share truly matters.