TESTIMONIAL
Read a feature story written by Carey Ashcroft, about an extraordinary young woman with the ultimate survivor story - Click HERE!
The following testimonials are from actual CWS clients. Except where specifically noted, names have been changed to ensure the privacy and safety of these domestic violence survivors...your neighbors, your sisters, your friends.
One afternoon, CWS received a call from the hospital concerning a woman who had been brought there in an ambulance the previous night. The hospital caseworker asked me if we had room in our safe house for a single woman and if an advocate would be able to meet with her. “Susan” said that her husband was a violent alcoholic and that he also had a substance abuse issue. The night before, he had been drinking and asked her to do something for him that she did not want to do; so he beat her badly. Her husband is a repeat offender and does not fear returning to jail. The client indicated that the beatings had been getting progressively worse; and she believed that next time, he would kill her. Susan was discharged from the hospital and came to stay at our safe house. Her CWS case manager worked with her weekly and connected her with resources and supportive services in our community. The shelter staff and caseworkers saw a significant improvement in her self-esteem over the course of her stay with us. She found employment within two weeks. And within two months, she moved in to her first place of her own…ever. Susan stays in contact with the agency, is doing well, and is happy and living a life free from abuse.
The following testimonials are from actual CWS clients. Except where specifically noted, names have been changed to ensure the privacy and safety of these domestic violence survivors...your neighbors, your sisters, your friends.
One afternoon, CWS received a call from the hospital concerning a woman who had been brought there in an ambulance the previous night. The hospital caseworker asked me if we had room in our safe house for a single woman and if an advocate would be able to meet with her. “Susan” said that her husband was a violent alcoholic and that he also had a substance abuse issue. The night before, he had been drinking and asked her to do something for him that she did not want to do; so he beat her badly. Her husband is a repeat offender and does not fear returning to jail. The client indicated that the beatings had been getting progressively worse; and she believed that next time, he would kill her. Susan was discharged from the hospital and came to stay at our safe house. Her CWS case manager worked with her weekly and connected her with resources and supportive services in our community. The shelter staff and caseworkers saw a significant improvement in her self-esteem over the course of her stay with us. She found employment within two weeks. And within two months, she moved in to her first place of her own…ever. Susan stays in contact with the agency, is doing well, and is happy and living a life free from abuse.
In August of 2012, “Mai Lee” came into the CWS office with a bruised and swollen face. She immediately received crisis counseling and was admitted to our safe house with her three young boys who ranged in age from nine months to eight years. Mai Lee had stayed in our safe house on two previous occasions. She and her family are Vietnamese emigrants who are part of a small, close-knit community in Craven County. This ethnic community maintains traditionalist and patriarchal cultural norms; so each time she left her husband, Mai Lee’s family strongly encouraged her to save her marriage by being more obedient.
But Mai Lee realized that her husband was not going to stop beating her. After taking a couple of days to recover, Mai Lee filed a Domestic Violence Protective Order (DVPO) with the help of one of our advocates. The application was granted, as was temporary custody of the children and possession of both the family residence and one of the vehicles. Mai Lee and her boys returned home after staying at the safe house for a month.
Her case required a considerable amount of continued support as the language barrier presented significant challenges for her in negotiating the institutional contexts of the court system, child support enforcement, and job applications. Her advocate worked closely with her and provided the necessary assistance for her in all of the aforementioned situations.
Today, Mai Lee is a single mother who is preparing to file for divorce and custody. Her younger sister is living with her and the boys, so she has some assistance while she is earning her GED and working a part-time job. Without funding through VOCA to pay the salaries for our advocates and shelter staff, she would not have received the housing or legal and supportive services that have allowed her and the boys to live their lives free from violence and abuse.
But Mai Lee realized that her husband was not going to stop beating her. After taking a couple of days to recover, Mai Lee filed a Domestic Violence Protective Order (DVPO) with the help of one of our advocates. The application was granted, as was temporary custody of the children and possession of both the family residence and one of the vehicles. Mai Lee and her boys returned home after staying at the safe house for a month.
Her case required a considerable amount of continued support as the language barrier presented significant challenges for her in negotiating the institutional contexts of the court system, child support enforcement, and job applications. Her advocate worked closely with her and provided the necessary assistance for her in all of the aforementioned situations.
Today, Mai Lee is a single mother who is preparing to file for divorce and custody. Her younger sister is living with her and the boys, so she has some assistance while she is earning her GED and working a part-time job. Without funding through VOCA to pay the salaries for our advocates and shelter staff, she would not have received the housing or legal and supportive services that have allowed her and the boys to live their lives free from violence and abuse.
