Women Against Abuse

Lamar loved her and provided for her for a year that Laticia remembers as nothing but wonderful.

But as time wore on, things grew shaky. He would get mad and belittle her, or blame her for everything. He also became increasingly controlling. “If you move, I will break every bone in your body,” he would threaten to keep Laticia from going outside.

Afraid, Laticia tried to appease Lamar by accomodating his behavior and learning to avoid his triggers. She tried to keep him from getting angry, but he would still call her names and shower her with insults, no matter what she did. He would wake her up in the middle of the night, and Laticia — startled and alarmed — would have no time to collect herself. One day, he woke her up and hit her so hard that she ended up in the hospital.

“I tried to get out over and over again,” she remembered. Her family wasn't able to help, and each time she called the Philadelphia Domestic Violence Hotline for admission to Women Against Abuse’s emergency safe haven, there were no beds available. Once, she found safety in a shelter for survivors of domestic violence in Norristown, but she soon left due to the inconvenience and difficulty of being away from her family.

With nowhere else to turn, she slept on the street for nights at a time before returning to Lamar, just to have a roof over her head and food to eat. She was trying to move forward, but the abuse set her ten steps back.

In 2010, Laticia was finally admitted to Women Against Abuse’s emergency safe haven, the only shelter for surviviors of domestic violence in Philadelphia.

Laticia stayed for three months, recovering from sheer exhaustion and the impact of the abuse. She worked with case managers to pursue employment and education opportunities, as well as financial assistance, as she began building her independence. She also worked with case managers to access safe housing upon exit from the safe haven.

After moving into her own place, Laticia continued to leverage one-on-one support through Women Against Abuse’s Safe at Home program. She developed budgeting and job search skills, and applied for permanent housing as she planned for her long-term safety. Finally safe after three years of abuse, Laticia lives with her children in a 3-bedroom apartment, and she has the resources to take care of her family. “I’m doing what makes me happy,” she said, and “fulfilling my dream.”

Names in this story have been changed to protect client anonymity.