Prevail, Inc.

SUZY

Blood was dripping down the tile of her bathroom floor into the grout she had worked so hard to clean. He always needed the house to be spotless. It took her a second before she realized the blood was hers. Still too scared to stand up, Suzie continued to lay there until she heard him leave through the garage. The mirror told her more than she could ever deny. He had broken her nose and knocked her unconscious. In the heat of her fear Suzie grabbed her purse, got in the car and drove to her mother’s house.

Once she arrived at her mother’s house and saw her mother working in the garden she immediately regretted driving there. Her mom saw the blood on Suzie’s face and quickly ran over to the car.  “Get into the other seat, we’re going to the hospital,” said Suzie’s mom. The drive to the emergency room was silent. Suzie and her mom both knew how she got those injuries and conversation seemed fruitless.

The doctors dressed Suzie’s wounds and gave her stitches for her nose. They discussed safety and seemed to behave as if they saw women like this everyday, and this was just another one who “couldn’t just leave.” Once again, Suzie felt alone. Before she left the hospital Suzie was referred to Prevail by a nurse. With her mother standing there, Suzie begrudgingly told the nurse she would call.

Suzie’s journey began at Prevail when she initially attended the domestic violence support group for adults. Although it was hard to share and she didn’t want to admit how serious her injuries were, Suzie kept coming back. She liked the group setting, but also started to meet with an advocate one on one, and got her children into the children’s program.

Shortly after, Suzie met with Prevail’s employment coordinator and improved her resume and interviewing skills. Once Suzie got a job, she and her children were able to move out on their own. With help from Prevail, Suzie was able to reclaim her life and her self-esteem. Her and her children now live in an abuse free home.