success stories

Mark

After a presentation to his law school class on Sexual Assault and it’s impact on survivors, Mark came up to the presenter and said that he had worked in the District Attorney’s office on the sexual assault case of a woman who was a sex worker. He said that, at the time, he couldn’t understand how it could be rape, and why she refused to assist the District Attorney in prosecuting the case. He now had a better understanding of how a sex worker could be raped, and identified her inability to cooperate as Rape Trauma Syndrome.

Christina

Christina came to the agency through our monolingual Spanish crisis line. She had been raped and wanted to report it to the police to help catch the man who raped her, but was afraid because she was undocumented. Her counselor was able to find a local attorney to help her apply for a visa so she could stay in this country, and assisted her in gathering the documentation she needed to support her visa. She reported to the police, and her case is scheduled for trial. She has continued her counseling and is so happy and grateful that she wants to become a counselor for other women.

Margaret

Margaret is a domestic violence survivor who is currently in counseling at the agency. After she left her abuser, he threatened to take her kids away if she didn’t return to him. She filed for a divorce. Afterwards, she was served with a notice to appear in court, but was confused and afraid that she would lose her kid’s like her abuser her told her she would. Her counselor invited her to the Family Law Legal Clinic held in partnership with the Los Angeles Center for Law and Justice. She was able to meet with the attorney at the clinic, who helped her figure out what documents she could take to court. She showed up to court feeling empowered, and ready to work to keep her kids.

Karen

Karen, a survivor of spousal rape and domestic violence, was afraid and unsure of what to do to get out of her abusive relationship. With the help of the Legal Advocacy Project, Karen was provided with options. She decided to file for a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO). Peace Over Violence aided her in filing the paperwork and provided her with support and advocacy. Karen was granted the TRO in the Pasadena Courthouse, and with the aid of a pro bono hearing attorney with the Legal Advocacy Project, she was subsequently granted the Permanent Restraining Order as well. Karen is now obtaining counseling with us and is on the road to recovery.