A metro area victim’s advocate
referred Suzanne to Gateway Battered Women’s Shelter. After 19 years in
a mentally and physically abusive marriage, she finally called 911 and
was arrested for domestic violence because her batterer had defensive
scratches on him. Suzanne pleaded not guilty by reason of self-defense.
She then needed a safe place to stay during court proceedings. She came
to GBWS with her two teenage daughters. While at GBWS, the family had a
safe, secure environment in which to begin healing. Suzanne received
individual and group counseling about domestic violence dynamics and
surviving domestic violence. She had a good employment position and a
supportive employer. GBWS provided referrals for medical reasons,
restraining orders, and housing. The children received group and
individual counseling to help them cope with surviving the violence.
Unfortunately, the transitional housing in the metro area is very
limited and this particular woman did not meet income guidelines to
qualify for low cost housing. Suzanne requested to be considered for
Gateway’s Extended Stay Program to have the time to locate an apartment
while living in a safe environment. Suzanne and her daughters remained
in the Extended Stay Program for two months. The family moved into
their own household, obtained a permanent restraining order and Suzanne
received enough knowledge about domestic violence to protect her and
her children from further abuse. After eight months, she contacted
Gateway’s counselors to say she was happily living independently and
the girls were doing well.
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Last Updated ( Saturday, June 09 2007 )
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Client Stories 
