|
Emergency Shelter - Gabby |
Gabby and her 5 children called for
assistance from Gateway’s emergency shelter to escape an abusive
husband and father. The children were 3 to 12 years of age. Gabby had
moved from Mexico with her husband to the United States 14 years ago.
However, neither had established US citizenship. Together, they had 5
children. Her batterer was intensely abusive to both her and her 5
Children. Gabby reported that he daily sexually, mentally and
physically abused them. He used to rape her in front of the children
and had been sexually abusing her for all 14 years of their marriage.
He threatened to kill all of them if any of them would call the police.
She grew weary of living in fear and trying to protect herself and her
children by herself. She contacted Gateway’s emergency shelter through
the 24-hour crisis line. After explaining her situation, Gateway staff
told Gabby that a taxi could be sent to her to transport her and her
children to the shelter. Gabby and her 5 children stayed with Gateway
for 37 days. During that time, Gabby and her children received
counseling and education around the issue of domestic violence. They
were finally able to live in a safe place without the fear of abuse.
They learned safety planning and were assisted in finding affordable
and safe housing. While at the shelter and over the Christmas holiday,
the batterer contacted her under the guise of wanting to give presents
to the children. On the phone the batterer was abusive, accusing her of
sleeping around and demeaning her sexually. Gabby called the police as
this was an infraction of the restraining order. The batterer was
arrested and served 6 days in jail.
Gabby left Gateway to go to her own apartment. Gateway staff assisted
her in securing an apartment and locating an attorney that would handle
her divorce. Being that they had married in Mexico, the divorce had to
be handled in Mexico. Gateway was able to assist her in this process
and continues to be in contact with her and her children.
|
|
Last Updated ( Saturday, June 09 2007 )
|
Client Stories 
