My name is Rei, and I am asking for help to finally be free.

For most of my life, I have lived in a cycle of physical, verbal, and emotional abuse at the hands of my stepfather. Since I was a child, he has taken everything from me: my voice, my self-expression, and my confidence. I grew up scared, lost, and lonely, and while I have tried to leave many times, unfortunate circumstances have always forced me back into this house.

Recently, the situation has escalated to a breaking point. Last winter, my stepfather became physically aggressive, screaming in my face and roughly pushing me. When I stepped in to defend my mother during a more recent argument, he turned that aggression on me again. He nearly hit me, and in the chaos, he pushed my mother, causing her injury.

I chose to stand up and file for a restraining order. However, because my mother has refused to file for her own protection—despite having the stronger case—and because my own evidence is limited to these physical altercations, I am terrified that the court may not grant the final order this Thursday. If that happens, I will be trapped in the same house as my abuser once again.

Even if I am granted protection, I can no longer stay here. My heart is broken because my mother has shown me she is not willing to prioritize our safety. I am currently disabled by chronic illness and the debilitating mental health toll of this trauma, which makes it impossible for me to work right now.

I have dreams. I want to be a graphic designer. I want to start a YouTube channel. I want to eventually move to California and live the life I actually deserve—one full of peace, color, and safety. But I cannot even begin to heal or work toward those dreams while I am living in survival mode, barricading my door every night.

I am asking for help to move myself, my furniture, and my cat, Hatchet, to a safe environment. Hatchet is the love of my life, and we both deserve a home where no one can hurt us.

Your donations will go directly toward:

Moving Logistics: Renting a truck and hiring help to move my furniture (I cannot do this alone with my health and a small car).

Housing Security: A security deposit and the first few months of rent for a small apartment, studio, or something of the sort, where I can finally breathe.

Safety & Survival: Emergency car repairs to ensure my only means of escape remains reliable, and basic essentials for me and Hatchet as we start over.

To live without this pain and trauma would be the ultimate gift. Thank you for helping me find the calm, the peace, and the freedom I’ve been waiting for my entire life.