Women Against Abuse

She was abused by her father and denied access to her four-year old son. She escaped the abusive situation by fleeing to a local shelter. As she sought safety and shelter, Alyssa experienced several barriers that are unfortunately far too common for survivors with disabilities.

The shelter she came to was not wheelchair accessible, and Alyssa was forced to crawl to use the bathroom due to the lack of assistive technology. Alyssa contacted Women Against Abuse, and moved to the Women Against Abuse Emergency Safe Haven, which is accessible to survivors with disabilities.

While at the safe haven, Alyssa worked with case managers to transition into her own housing. Staff members researched accessible locations and found an affordable arrangement that worked for Alyssa and her son.

In addition, Legal Center attorneys helped Alyssa file a protection from abuse order against her father and also receive a court order for Alyssa’s son to be returned to her. When Alyssa’s father continued to refuse to relinquish her son and her assistive technology equipment, Women Against Abuse staff asked law enforcement to intervene.

Alyssa faced more barriers when regaining custody of her son. Segments of the law enforcement field refused to intervene when Alyssa’s father ignored a court order and would not return her son, claiming Alyssa's disability prevented her from raising her child. Alyssa determinedly overcame these false perceptions, and worked with Women Against Abuse staff to remind law enforcement officials that the court order deemed Alyssa her a fit parent. Alyssa partnered with our Legal Center staff to reach out to the Sheriff’s Department to enforce the order.

Women Against Abuse staff reminded law enforcement officials that the court order deemed Alyssa a fit parent and reached out to the Sheriff’s Department to enforce the order.

Despite the many barriers she faced as a survivor with a disability, Aylssa and her son were reunited. Today, they live independently, free from violence.

*Client’s name has been changed to preserve confidentiality.