For Jessa,* seeking help after years of domestic violence was not a simple decision. In her ten years of marriage, she experienced verbal abuse, threats and physical violence. When she considered leaving her husband, he often threatened to hurt himself, leaving her feeling responsible for his well-being even as her own safety and happiness were at risk.
As she considered what a safer future might look like, Jessa began exploring an order of protection, a legal tool that can help protect survivors by setting court-ordered limits on an abusive person’s contact and behavior.
Through Family Court, she connected with Laura Rupell, Family Court Domestic Violence Advocate. Even then, taking the next step wasn’t easy. Jessa returned to Family Court three times before feeling ready to file her petition. Throughout the process, Laura helped review and revise the paperwork as many times as needed until she felt prepared to move forward.
Their conversations went beyond the paperwork. Laura listened to Jessa’s concerns and helped her think about what she wanted for herself. Jessa had been in nursing school, working toward a future she was excited about, but the stress of the abuse made it difficult to focus on her studies.
“Returning to nursing school was something she really wanted for herself and a goal we talked about often,” Laura shared.
Although Jessa continued to worry about her husband, Laura helped her recognize that her own hopes and needs mattered, too. She deserved to feel safe and pursue a future beyond the relationship.
“It’s really meaningful to be able to help people through that decision-making process and see them realize something in their life needs to change,” Laura said.
After Jessa filed her petition, Laura connected her with Haven House’s counseling program, where she could work toward the goals they had discussed and develop tools to navigate this new chapter.
Laura saw a change in Jessa after she took that step. While healing from years of domestic violence takes time, Jessa began making decisions with her own future in mind.
Through C+FS, Jessa found someone who listened without judgment, helped her work through a difficult decision and connected her with resources for the road ahead.
*Name changed for confidentiality.