Josephine had known James (name has been changed) all her life. After a particularly messy break-up, they shared that they had a romantic interest in each other and began to date. James was attentive, charming, caring and complimentary. Josephine’s friends and family liked him, and soon they fell in love. James wanted to spend every minute possible with Josephine. He didn’t think she needed to spend as much time with friends, so he cut them out of her life. Family as well.
Eventually, nothing was good enough for him. His words became cutting, and Josephine tried but could never please him. No matter what she did, she was always doing “something wrong”. The hitting didn’t’ start right away, but when it did, there were excuses. He’s under stress. He’ll try harder next time. Drugs and alcohol helped numb the pain and the disappointment, days blurred into each other. The abuse got worse.
It wasn’t until she was la
ying face-down on a sidewalk in a pool of her own blood, with onlookers standing by, that Josephine realized that she might be a victim of domestic violence. James had punched her, kicked her, slapped her before, but this time he had pushed her face through a plate-glass window. Part of her nose was missing. For months after, she told everyone she’d been in a car accident. Still, she didn’t leave. The drugs and drinking got worse, she thought she’d never make it through.
One day, at her wits end, Josephine was wandering the streets, and flagged down a patrol car and asked the police officer to take her to the Medical Center. She checked herself in to the County Drug Rehab, and began her slow journey of recovery. While there, she met a counselor from The Safe Center who visits the rehab regularly. After she was released, Josephine became a client of The Safe Center, receiving counseling and advocacy services to help her manage her sobriety and live a life free of domestic abuse. A few years later, Josephine is a new woman. The Safe Center helped her get facial reconstruction surgery, and she’s living free of abuse and substances.
And most importantly, she is able to say that today she loves herself.
Josephine’s experience, strength and hope has inspired her to speak at presentations in front of groups, inspiring professionals and community members alike with her story. Last year, she was the special survivor speaker at The Safe Center’s Annual Gala. She has helped train social work students at a local university, and most recently was the special guest speaker at our Fashion Show fundraiser.
Josephine is a true Safe Center success story. Join us in celebrating her journey of healing and hope as she carries the message forward: Love Shouldn’t Hurt
Anthony Zenkus, Director of Education