This Holiday Season, Give the Gift of Safety
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When Home isn't Safe
Quarantining at Home Was Hard for Everyone, but for Some Knoxvillians, it Was a Nightmare.
Just like you, the Knoxville Family Justice Center has had to quickly adapt to a new normal so that survivors of domestic violence could continue to get help when they need it. Your support will help us ensure that the most vulnerable members of our community are able to live a life free from violence, and full of dignity, respect, and safety.
When the pandemic reached the United States earlier this year, Carmen was afraid. Like most Americans, she was afraid for her health, her job, and her plans for the future. Carmen was also afraid of something else – her home.
Carmen and her boyfriend had a history of explosive fights that made her feel unsafe, and after he was laid off, his angry outbursts seemed to be escalating. He controlled her paycheck, tracked her location on her cell phone, demanded that she come straight home after work, and made threats of violence against her and their two dogs.
When Carmen’s company sent their employees to work from home, Carmen didn’t know what she would do without the peace of her office. She was at home with her abuser 24/7. There were more opportunities to make him angry. There was no one to notice the bruise on her arm and ask if everything was okay. She couldn't search the internet for advice – or call for help – without him noticing. Even if she could leave, she had nowhere to go, especially during a pandemic.
One day while her boyfriend showered, Carmen was found the Knoxville Family Justice Center’s website and sent us an email saying that she couldn't talk freely, but needed help. We responded to her right away and asked if she had a safe number we could text. Immediately, our Navigator began providing services through text messages and connected Carmen with an advocate from one of our more than 40 partner agencies. The advocate continued to help her through text messages to create a personalized safety plan, which helped her escape with her dogs.
Carmen is one of 1507 survivors of domestic abuse who received services from the Knoxville Family Justice Center during the first 8 months of the COVID-19 outbreak. For Carmen and the others, home was no longer safe, but the Knoxville Family Justice Center provided them with hope.
Your donation will help the Knoxville Family Justice Center assist victims of domestic violence in navigating their paths to becoming survivors. With your donation, the Knoxville Family Justice Center will be able to increase outreach efforts, offer more resources for immediate needs (grocery cards, gas cards, phones with minutes), and help more families in our community find happiness and safety in their homes.
Thank you for your support and generosity.
When the pandemic reached the United States earlier this year, Carmen was afraid. Like most Americans, she was afraid for her health, her job, and her plans for the future. Carmen was also afraid of something else – her home.
Carmen and her boyfriend had a history of explosive fights that made her feel unsafe, and after he was laid off, his angry outbursts seemed to be escalating. He controlled her paycheck, tracked her location on her cell phone, demanded that she come straight home after work, and made threats of violence against her and their two dogs.
When Carmen’s company sent their employees to work from home, Carmen didn’t know what she would do without the peace of her office. She was at home with her abuser 24/7. There were more opportunities to make him angry. There was no one to notice the bruise on her arm and ask if everything was okay. She couldn't search the internet for advice – or call for help – without him noticing. Even if she could leave, she had nowhere to go, especially during a pandemic.
One day while her boyfriend showered, Carmen was found the Knoxville Family Justice Center’s website and sent us an email saying that she couldn't talk freely, but needed help. We responded to her right away and asked if she had a safe number we could text. Immediately, our Navigator began providing services through text messages and connected Carmen with an advocate from one of our more than 40 partner agencies. The advocate continued to help her through text messages to create a personalized safety plan, which helped her escape with her dogs.
Carmen is one of 1507 survivors of domestic abuse who received services from the Knoxville Family Justice Center during the first 8 months of the COVID-19 outbreak. For Carmen and the others, home was no longer safe, but the Knoxville Family Justice Center provided them with hope.
Your donation will help the Knoxville Family Justice Center assist victims of domestic violence in navigating their paths to becoming survivors. With your donation, the Knoxville Family Justice Center will be able to increase outreach efforts, offer more resources for immediate needs (grocery cards, gas cards, phones with minutes), and help more families in our community find happiness and safety in their homes.
Thank you for your support and generosity.
