Terri's story continued ....
When Terri and her children entered the Safe House they were welcomed with open arms, but life was difficult at first. They were traumatized. With her new and unfamiliar surroundings, her lack of support from family and an element of denial for her situation she isolated herself and her children for almost two weeks while she tried to process recent events.
She had come from a healthy family, traditional values, had a great education, had a good job, a nice house, in a good neighborhood, smart children, friends, an expanding career; and still she fell into a relationship that became ever more controlling, isolating, and emotionally and financially abusive. She couldn't believe how she could let this happen. Yet here she was; and she was not alone.
Crisis counseling and the supportive environment in the Safe House eventually brought her out of her room and into the general population where she was surprised to find many people in similar circumstances and all suffering from trauma. For many it can take up to 7 attempts to leave an abusive relationship, yet Terri had every desire to make it at the first attempt.
She soon realized that the dedicated group of Stand Up Placer professionals were on her side, advocating for her and her family and would do whatever it took to help her and her children rebuild and regain their independence.
Her counselor and advocates began to share the many opportunities and resources available to her and her children and she quickly realized there was light at the end of the tunnel for her and her family.
Terri eagerly attended all available classes and explored every resource presented to her and her children. She left no stone unturned in her quest to get the most out the resources offered and she began to experience a rush of self-empowerment that she still feels to this day.
Life in the Safe House is limited to 90 days. An amount that is often insufficient to overcome the immediate trauma and to prepare the survivor for a new beginning and in Terri's case she loved the Safe House so much that she wanted to stay. Eventually, she found the courage to step out and enter our Rapid Re-Housing Program where she was helped to find her own apartment where she could continue to receive services, support and life skills training classes and regain her independence.
Terri chose an apartment on the 2nd floor, kept the windows tightly secured and for the first 6-months slept with a chair wedged against the front door handle to give her peace of mind. She chose a location far away from her old address for fear of bumping into her abuser and for a while she would do her grocery shopping at odd hours of the night to avoid crowds.
Terri and her children moved out of the housing program three years ago, she has received a promotion at work, bought her own place and married the man of her dreams.
Terri's is one of many success stories we all love to share at Stand Up Placer.
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Escaping an abusive situation and overcoming the trauma associated with it are devastating to families and all those associated. Finding the courage to rebuild your life and regain independence out of a fragile situation is not easy, it takes time, it takes perseverance, it takes resources, skills and collaborations and it takes the support and understanding of people like you.
With your help and a commitment to take a stand against domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking, there is hope.
