My name is Liz and after 2 years of living in absolute terror of my abusive boyfriend, I barely left with my life last week. Our night had began normal when he suddenly became agitated and started punching holes in our walls telling me that it was what he was going to do to my skull. I sent a friend a message telling her to call the police as he was doing this. Luckily the police were quick to respond and he hadn't done much to me by the time they were knocking on our door. When he knew the police were there, he dragged me to the bathroom with it, throwing me into the tub. He locked me and our dog in there so the police couldn't hear me, as he tried to figure a way out of it. I texted my friend who was in contact with the police to break the door down and they did and arrested him immediately. In the 2 years we were together, I experienced multiple assaults and domestic violence at his hands, each time worse than this one, putting more and more fear in my heart. The last 2 times ending in my passing out due to being suffocated so severely, after already enduring being beaten til my entire body was covered in black and blue. His violence didn't escape our dog, who was trying to protect me, leading to her being terrified of him too, peeing every time he showed a hint of anger. Everytime I tried to plan to leave, I was afraid of how I would survive on my own as I was tied to him financially and knew I wouldn't be able to afford rent or monthly bills with just my income even though I work 2 jobs trying to make ends meet. I was also afraid to ask anyone else for help for fear he would find out and hurt me for it as he had the passwords to my phone, email, and social media and could access any of my messages at any time. Now I am trying to figure out a way to afford to live on my own and rebuild my life. Unfortunately, my apartment complex is not being understanding of the situation and is asking for the entirety of this month's rent right now even though I have no means to pay it. I have begged them to be more understanding, but they won't. Not only that, but they are also forcing me to pay for the repairs for the damage that my ex did to our apartment the night of his arrest along with the broken doorframe from when the police had to break down the apartment door to get in. My complex has told me it will cost $2,000 to repair all of it. Pictured here:

I have left the apartment and am staying with family now. However, all of my belongings are still at the apartment and I am not able to go get them right this moment as I am no longer in the same town. Therefore, I am hoping to raise funds to afford to pay the rent for this month as well as repair the damages so that the apartment complex doesn't throw out all of my stuff before I am able to move it out. Any extra funds raised will also help me pay the monthly bills when they come as well as help me pay any security deposit and first month's rent for a new apartment when I am able to find one that I can afford on my own.

Thank you for reading my story and for your empathy. I have held multiple jobs at a time my entire life to make a life for myself and have always had a difficult time reaching out for help. The desperation I feel now is the only reason I am forcing myself to ask for it from complete strangers. Anything you are able to spare helps and will allow me to move on from the nightmare I have been living in for far too long. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.