Jane was in a very abusive relationship with her husband when she found the YWCA Victim Advocate program. Her husband kept her isolated from her friends, hid the keys to her car to keep her trapped, and threatened her with physical violence if she tried to disobey him. He would often knock Jane down, kicking her and sexually abusing her when he was angry. During one particularly violent incident, Jane called the police- which is how she became involved with her YWCA Victim Advocate. Her husband was arrested, and the officers referred Jane to YWCA for help. In a face to face meeting, Jane and her Advocate created a safety plan and obtained an order of protection from her husband. Her advocate also helped her get in touch with the Family Justice Center partner of Legal Aid of East Tennessee to pursue a divorce from her abusive husband. Through months of working together, Jane and her advocate got her an order of protection, safe and stable housing, and group therapy sessions for survivors of domestic violence. Today Jane is safe and happy, and very thankful to her Advocate.
United Way of Greater Knoxville is proud to partner with an agency that protects, encourages, and advocates for women who have been subjected to domestic violence. The YWCA offers safety, help, and most of all, a supportive community that helps victims up and out of their abusive situations. Change doesn’t happen alone. To live better, we must LIVE UNITED.