|
A Survivor's Story: Angela
Angela married
her best friend. Or so she thought. In the middle of a custody
battle over her three year old daughter, she turned to Richard,
her long time friend, for advice and comfort. Friendship grew
into romance and they married.
One day after
the wedding, her terror started. Richard stood 6’7” tall and
weighed 300 pounds. During their courtship, his size was
reassuring and she felt comforted in his presence. She never
imagined the fear his imposing frame would bring to her life.
One day after
marrying Richard, she became a prisoner in her own home.
Richard had
rules he expected to be followed. Angela was not to leave the
house unless accompanied by Richard. Angela was to cease all
communication to her family and Angela was never to speak to the
neighbors.
At first, it
seemed like a cruel joke until Angela could no longer deny the
dangerous turn her life had taken. Richard began to taunt her
with threats of physical harm to her and the children.
Richard ruled
the house with intimidation for seven years! He
belittled Angela telling her she was crazy and unfit to raise
their children. Richard threatened to have Angela committed to
a mental institution over and over again.
Angela believed
he had the power to convince others she was mentally unstable.
After all, that was the way he made her feel most of the time.
Her worst
nightmare was realized when her son began to repeat the violence
he was witnessing in their home. Six year old Nick was supposed
to be home schooled by his father. But the lessons his father
taught him were filled with violence. And Nick wasn’t allowed
to attend school.
Nick began to
abuse his older sister with his father’s blessing. He
threatened to kill Angela in her sleep.
During her
worst moments, Angela turned to the bible for comfort. She
searched for strength and answers between its pages.
In the final
days of her marriage, Richard took Angela’s bible because he
feared its words would turn her against him. The threats were
escalating and Angela feared for her daughter’s safety.
Finally, a
friend of Richard’s stepped in and warned Angela the situation
was going to end badly. He urged her to get out immediately.
The next day
Angela contacted her family and asked for help. She was ready
to make her escape. She just needed to survive one more night
until her family could get into town to pick her up. It was the
longest night of Angela’s life as she pretended nothing was
wrong.
Angela did
escape with her two children. Richard assumed she was with her
family and began to call and threatened to hurt them unless
Angela returned.
She fled to the
safety of a local shelter but Richard found her there too.
The Julian
Center shelter received a call asking if there was room for
Angela and her two children. The answer was yes!
After staying
two months in shelter, Angela was accepted into The Julian
Center’s New Life Transitional Housing Program. She will be
able to stay for up to two years while she works to reclaim her
life.
Slowly, with
the help of The Julian Center staff and an array of support
services, Angela’s family is finding its way back. She is
attending educational classes so she can acquire a job with a
livable wage. Angela and her children attend therapy so they
can work through the trauma that remains from their violence
filled pasts. And, Nick was finally able to start school in The
Julian Center’s on-site Indianapolis Public School classroom.
Angela’s
highest priority is stabilizing her son. She sought the best
mental health treatment available and established a plan to
regain her son’s emotional well-being. Every day the situation
improves. Nick is attending a school that is equipped to deal
with his emotional needs and a volunteer tutor at The Julian
Center has helped him catch up to his peers in school.
Angela dreams
of a three bedroom home with a yard someday. She has hope for a
better future.
Everyday, women
and children just like Angela’s family come through our doors
fleeing unspeakable horrors.
Thank you for
helping them reach safety. Your continued support of The Julian
Center will help others begin to dream as they look forward to
brighter futures. |
