Each story represents a compilation of facts from real Life Span cases. Names have been changed to protect the privacy of the individuals involved.

JULIA

Julia was 65 years old and had been married to her husband for over 30 years.  During the course of their marriage, he had called her terrible names, shaming her in front of friends and family; he had tortured her pets; he had driven his truck over the treasured antique china she had inherited from her own mom; he had hidden all the income and financial records from her and refused to allow her to buy groceries; and he had hit her, pushed her down a flight of stairs, and kicked her in the head and face.  When she tried to call for help, he had the phone service turned off.   Julia was a prisoner in her own home, and as a result of this chronic abuse, Julia had sustained many serious injuries including permanent ligament damage in her right arm and missing teeth.  Her husband refused to pay for any medical services for her.  Julia had to “sneak out” of the house to go to the doctor who asked how she had been injured.  When the doctor realized that Julia was a battered woman, he gave her the Life Span phone number and encouraged her to call for help.

In addition to supportive counseling and teaching basic life skills, Life Span was able to identify an attorney who had expertise in locating hidden assets; this attorney was successful in obtaining an Order of Protection which prevented further abuse as well as requiring full disclosure of the hidden bank accounts.  In consultation with Life Span staff, Julia learned how to set up her own bank account, how to establish her own cell phone account, how to obtain medical care through her health insurance, and how to enforce her Order of Protection. During the course of the case, Julia called the police when her husband continued to abuse her, and for the first time in their 30 year marriage he was arrested and held accountable for his conduct.

By the time Julia completed services with Life Span, she had obtained a divorce, settled for one half of the marital assets, used her cash payment to buy a new home and moved there with her dogs to live by herself for the first time in her life.  She loves her new home and says she never knew that freedom and safety could feel so good.

COLEEN

Colleen was a high school junior who had broken up with her boyfriend, Jeff, a senior, and a star athlete at the same school.  Jeff did not want to let her go, so he pursued Colleen and demanded they get back together.  He stalked her in the hallways, he called her cell phone repeatedly, he sat at the same lunch table, and he waited for her at the front door at the end of the day.  When Colleen said she did not want him to be her boyfriend, he followed her home, continuing to argue with her, not taking no for an answer.  Finally, when Colleen refused him, he hit in the face leaving her with two black eyes.  After that, Colleen was afraid to go to school where she would see Jeff everyday, and where all the kids would know what happened to her.  Colleen’s mother was desperate to protect her daughter, but did not know what to do.  Because the assault occurred in the park, after school, the school principal said there was nothing he could do.  The school suggested that Colleen might want to transfer and “get a new start somewhere else.”  Colleen’s mom called Life Span.

A Life Span advocate met with Colleen and her mom at the courthouse and helped them file criminal charges against Jeff for the crime of battery.  The Life Span advocate also explained that Colleen could request an Order of Protection which would require Jeff to stay away from her.  Jeff’s parents hired a lawyer and were dismissive about his assault on Colleen saying that it was just a case of “puppy love” gone bad.   Colleen had to testify in open court about what happened to her, and she had to be cross examined by Jeff’s defense attorney.  These court appearances terrified Colleen, and the Life Span advocate met with her each time she had to go to court and offered support and encouragement to both Colleen and her mom throughout the lengthy court process.

The Life Span advocate also assisted Colleen and her mom when they informed the school authorities about the Order of Protection that required them to separate Jeff from any activities where he would be in contact with Colleen.  Colleen was able to return to her own school and resume her class schedule and her after-school activities without the threat of Jeff’s intimidation.  School personnel monitored Jeff’s behavior and whereabouts at all times, making certain that he stayed away from Colleen on school grounds.  Eventually, Jeff transferred to another school because he did not want to face the questions of the other students or accept the limitations to his activities required by the Order of Protection.

Colleen said that she hated what Jeff did to her, but she was glad that she and her mom found a way to “stand up to him”.  Colleen was happy that she was able to finish the year at her own school and not have to run away in shame when she had done nothing wrong.

KAREN

Karen was a mother of 3 children, whose husband had lost his job due to alcoholism.  They were in deep financial trouble, and had just sold their home at a reduced price before they lost it due to a foreclosure.  Karen paid all the outstanding bills with the money from the sale of the house.  She deposited the little that was left in a joint bank account until she and her husband could figure out what to do.  Karen was working part time, but could just barely afford to pay for groceries and gas.  Her husband refused to work and became more belligerent each day.  He was inattentive to the children and had started to threaten Karen with physical abuse.  He hit the dog, and frequently ended the day passed out on the living room floor of their rented apartment where the kids would find him after returning from school.  Finally, one day, he hit Karen in the face in front of all the kids.  Karen knew she needed to make a change, but she did not know where to start or what to do.  She and her husband had broken up many times before, but they always got back together because he would promise to stop drinking, get a job, and go to counseling.  She called Life Span.

A Life Span counselor spoke with Karen over the hotline.  The counselor urged Karen to consider her safety first, and advised her that if she decided to leave her husband, to take the children with her.  The counselor helped Karen identify a local women’s shelter and referred Karen to a Life Span attorney and a Life Span children’s counselor.  Karen left her husband that night with the kids, a few personal items thrown in a bag, and the keys to the van.  She never returned to her husband again.

Once Karen was settled in the shelter, she discovered that her husband had withdrawn all the money from the joint bank account.  She had nothing but the clothes on her back.  Life Span assisted her in developing a plan that included legal services for a divorce, custody, visitation, and child support. After careful negotiations between a Life Span attorney and her husband’s lawyer, Karen agreed to supervised visits for the kids. Karen had expressed concern that her husband had been stopped for drunk driving and she was worried for her children’s safety while in his care.  Life Span was also able to negotiate return of over half of the funds from the joint account which Karen could use to relocate herself and the kids when she left the transitional housing program.

All of Karen’s children worked with Life Span counselors who helped them to understand what was happening and to assure them that they were not to blame for dad’s violence or drinking.  Life Span counselors also assisted the kids in developing their own safety plans in case they needed to call for help while visiting their dad.