Probablemente tenía 8 o 9 años la primera vez que fuimos a un refugio de Women Against Abuse, a mediados de la década de los ochenta. Era en [el oeste de Philadelphia], porque mi mamá estaba en una situación de violencia doméstica y necesitábamos encontrar un lugar seguro en el que vivir.

Renee Norris Jones experienced 7 years of domestic violence at a time when few resources existed to help victims escape abuse.

It was young love, and it felt exciting. Looking back, there were red flags early on, but I didn’t see them at the time.

“This is not OK; this is not who I will be; I will love my children; violence will not be allowed in my home.”

I was 23 years old, a single mother, and pregnant with my second daughter. My fiancé had a drinking problem, and I took a lot of busted lips and sore arms until our daughter was born. I realized if I didn’t get out, my daughters wouldn’t see me as a strong person.

Al pensar en la violencia doméstica, a menudo se piensa en una víctima/sobreviviente adulta. Pero ¿qué sucede con los niños, las niñas y las personas jóvenes adultas que han experimentado abuso o han sentido miedo en sus propios hogares? Candace, quien trabajó como terapeuta en Women Against Abuse, fue testigo de cómo abusaban a su madre durante años y elige contar su historia sobre este aspecto de la violencia doméstica del que poco se habla. A continuación, sus palabras.

The life-saving work that Women Against Abuse achieves each day would not be possible without the support of advocates in the community.

Trevor is a college student and advocate who shared his story at our 2018 iPledge Campaign press conference.

Mike, a former police detective with the Philadelphia Police Department, has been working as the police liaison for Women Against Abuse, so that he can help survivors in ways he couldn’t as a detective.

Sheila arrived at the Women Against Abuse Emergency Shelter after waking up in a hospital emergency room.