POMONA, Calif. - Monica Thomas-Harris got the chilling news just before Christmas: Her estranged husband, jailed for abducting and threatening her, had been released.
A frantic Thomas-Harris rushed to the district attorney's office, begging for an emergency protection order that would allow police to arrest him if he came near her. But it was the Friday evening before Christmas, and no judge was available. The next business day was Monday, but that was Christmas Eve, and her husband's lawyer was on a long vacation and couldn't be reached for a hearing.
Less than two weeks later, Thomas-Harris, 37, was dead, shot in a motel room by her husband in a murder-suicide.
On average 7 times is the amount of times a women escapes & returns to an abuser. A huge reason for this is the affordability factor. She worries she can't make it on her own or support her children.
Concerns are: Food, shelter, protection, employment issues, medical issues (regarding insurance and the disorders that women have due to abuse) Usually a victim that stays is isolated, she has no family or friends close by. Culture now plays a huge role in the united states since there are so many illegal immigrants. These victims, without documents fear that they will be sent back to their country. These women do not have a drivers license, ss card, checking accounts, credit cards or anything that allows them to get the assistance that is so badly needed. In a country that can not yet end violence for american citizens how do we protect the immigrants? Law enforcement make a huge difference but we need more rights and more awareness. Little by little our cause is heard.
Slowly, we still bring the women out of abuse. Leaving for good has to be sooner than the average number. (which is Seven times returning to abuse) Until then, keep bringing the Sevens. We must continue to work towards educating and counselling victims, law enforcement, attorneys, judges, school teachers and more advocates. Together we will get there one man, one woman , one child, one teen at a time.
Eleanor Roosevelt once said:
Learn by LivingYou gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, "I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along." You must do the thing you think you cannot do.
No matter what it takes walk through the door!
Freedom is worth fighting for.
End Domestic Violence!
Learn by LivingYou gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, "I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along." You must do the thing you think you cannot do.
No matter what it takes walk through the door!
Freedom is worth fighting for.
End Domestic Violence!
