Dear Friends,

If you received this link, it’s because I value you as a friend and want to share something deeply vulnerable with you.

This is one of the hardest things I’ve done, but I’m acknowledging that I am just a human needing help from my community, as we all do. However you react to this - whether you choose to help, support in another way, or simply read - is completely okay. You don’t owe me a response.

Shortly before I became a mother, my partner became violent. I left after my daughter’s first year, but she was then required to spend unsupervised time with him. Soon after, her behavior raised serious concerns about her safety in his care, and as she got older, she began telling me what was happening. Despite this, the child safety system was not equipped to fully assess the experience of a child so young. She is now five and a half, and struggles with all the emotional complications that follow abuse.

They call these things every parent’s worst nightmare, but navigating our dysfunctional legal system has almost been worse. After years of fighting for transparency and safety, we are approaching our final court date on April 29th. We are requesting supervision and safeguards to prevent further harm. Statistically, these safeguards are granted in a minority of cases, but we have strong evidence, expert testimony, and lots of hope.

I’m fortunate to have a rockstar attorney, a former prosecutor, who is very patient about getting paid. But this long process has exhausted all financial resources for both my mother and me. I now need help covering significant legal fees.

If you feel moved to support us financially, it would mean more than I can express. If you do, I ask that you give anonymously so it doesn’t affect our friendship. Perhaps you know someone affected by these issues who might be moved to help. Forwarding this to them is also valuable support.

No matter what you choose, I’m grateful for you and for your place in my life.

With love,

Sharon and Cathy