Helpless and Vunerable

Our office had just opened for the day. Its Monday morning and things are hectic as we prepare for the week. The phone rings unexpectedly. Maybe its a coworker saying she will be late. If only...

She is hiding in a closet whispering "help" into the phone. In the background we hear the sounds of something hitting wood, but we cant make it out. She says she called 911 and they transferred her to us. Heaven forbid the police force do their job and protect its citizens, instead they transfer cases like this to the women's organization who has no legal authority, brushing her safety off as a "women's issue".

She tells us her boyfriend's uncle is trying to kick her and the baby out. He is beating on the front door with a hammer, screaming profanities. Her fight or flight told her to take the baby and hide. He continues to bang on the door, she says he is getting closer and she needs help. What are we supposed to do? The cops sent her to us.

We calm her down as the baby screams. She has lost all hope and is preparing to die when the banging of the hammer stops. The man has given up. Thank God he has given up.

After 6 hours of phone calls, threats and coordination she is safely in a shelter on the island, baby in tow and safe. She is still scared for her life but for tonight she will have a place to sleep and the promise of tomorrow.

Its amazing the gaps in the system that cause cases like this to fall through the cracks. Prevention is not a word in the vocab for local authorities on all levels. This woman would not of been helped before the incident occurred, only when that hammer would of taken her life.

Thank you world for saving this woman's life for just one more day!