Jenny met her husband in her junior year of college. When they dated, he was romantic, and would whisk her away for romantic weekends and day trips. Once they were married, Jenny’s husband stopped wanting to go out and visit new places. She would try to make plans with friends, and he would get angry and forbid her to leave the house to the point that he would steal her keys and hide her driver’s license. Over time she began to feel isolated from her friends and family.
As the abuse became more severe and frequent, Jenny could no longer visit her family, and all calls were made only when her husband was present. Jenny’s husband would force her into sexual acts and chain her in the house. She was even forced to miss her father’s funeral because he chained and locked her in their house so she would not escape. After becoming pregnant again, she painfully remembered several miscarriages which were due to the constant abuse she was under. After their daughter was born, her husband began to abuse them as well.
The abuse became so bad that Jenny and her daughter had to be hospitalized for malnourishment. It was at the hospital that Jenny was connected with a shelter in Orange County and during this time she found her inner strength and became adamant about creating a new and better life for her and her child.
As part of the case plan to create independence and safety, Jenny was referred to Radiant Futures for our Personal Empowerment Program. Upon beginning services, Jenny reported how after many years of abuse she and her child finally felt like they had a support system and individuals that believed their story. She was able to attend Radiant Futures’ Human Trafficking Fair Trade Pop-Up event in which they were able to receive food, gifts, and toys. She said that this was their first time out at a social event since leaving the abusive relationship and she was so grateful for the positive experience and how accommodating Radiant Futures was to them.
She has attended Radiant Future’s Positive Parenting Program, Personal Empowerment Program, and is currently working on receiving stable housing from a partner organization. Jenny is planning to take part in other Radiant Futures’ services as she moves forward with her goals of creating a healthy and happy life for her and her child. If you or someone you know can benefit from our Positive Parenting Program and additional programs, please contact Radiant Futures’ Helpline at (877) 531-5522 for more information.