A MOTHER PROVIDES SAFETY

"My job was eliminated and we only need to be here for about a week," Tony said when he, his wife, Beth, and their son, Benjamin, came to the shelter. At first, Tony seemed to be a good husband that was trying to provide for his family and took charge of everything.

However, after a couple of days, it began to seem as if Beth was being overpowered by Tony. When they met with the case manager, Tony always answered the questions, even the ones directed at Beth. As the case manager started to work more with them, she also suspected that Tony was an alcoholic. It turned out that Tony was fired from his job for drinking and told Beth he was laid off. The more the staff seemed to catch on, the quicker Tony wanted to leave. One evening, without notice, Tony, Beth, and little Benjamin checked out.

The staff was concerned and called around. Unfortunately, they had no luck finding them. About two months later, Beth called and asked questions about rental assistance. The staff told her to stop by and they would help her out. When Beth and Benjamin arrived, Beth looked shaken and had bruises on her arms. The Family Life Educator took Benjamin into the children's group so Beth could spend some time with the case manager. Beth said she was scared for herself and Benjamin. She started to cry. She said she had stayed with her parents and friends, but Tony kept finding her and making threats to hurt her and Benjamin if she didn't come home. Beth asked if she could stay at Care Corps and when she heard the words, "we will help keep you and Benjamin safe," she breathed a sigh of relief.

Beth began attending therapy as well as life skills classes focused on parenting, budgeting, and job skills. Tony never wanted Beth to make friends or work because he was afraid she would talk about what was going on at home. As a result, Beth had no work experience since she had been married. Although Benjamin had witnessed some of the abuse, he seemed well adjusted and developmentally on target. Beth attended the Self Esteem for Women group and started to feel more sure of herself.

Although Beth is scarred, physically and emotionally, she recently moved out on her own for the first time since she met Tony. She has continued attending therapy sessions and started going to a support group for women. She said she had no idea that a person could take safety for granted and that she'll never do that again — for her or her son.