Early one summer morning, Monica called JBWS’ 24-Hour Helpline in tears. She was in an abusive relationship with her husband and didn’t know where to turn. She had taken her children to her parent’s house and decided that she was going to leave her partner. Unsure of where to turn, Monica called the helpline because she just “couldn’t live like this anymore.”
While Monica had sought help from a private therapist for verbal, emotional, and sexual abuse, she was hesitant to call JBWS because she didn’t experience physical violence. She wasn’t sure if she would qualify for services.
The JBWS staff member who answered Monica’s call explained that JBWS helps people who experience ALL forms of abuse. She corrected her assumption that obvious physical violence had to be present to reach out for help.
Upon seeking counseling services, Monica was able to identify the cycle of abuse in her marriage and define her experience of abuse. She was able to find temporary work, which provided her with the confidence she needed to file for divorce.
If you are in an unhealthy relationship, JBWS can help. Learn about our services here.
