Leaving an abusive relationship is rarely a single moment. It’s usually a series of hard choices, painful reckonings, and steps toward healing. For the three women from the Greene County Chapter of the VOICES Committee who shared their stories with us, the journey was marked by doubt, fear, resilience, and ultimately, hope. Their stories remind us that life after abuse is not only possible but full of strength and new beginnings.
The VOICES Survivor Advocacy Network is a program of Alliance for HOPE International. The network is comprised of volunteers who celebrate their strength and survival. These brave individuals use their voices to help others through advocacy, education, and empowerment.
We are honored to share snapshots of their journeys in their own words.
The Breaking Point
Courtney remembers being trapped in cycles of doubt and shame, haunted by the words of her abuser. “I internalized so much of what he told me…that I wasn’t enough, that I deserved what I got. I kept asking myself ‘what did I do to deserve this?’ when all I ever did was try to love him.”
For Joy, the breaking point came with the legal system. Navigating court battles while becoming a solo parent was one of the hardest chapters of her life. Yet even as she struggled, she kept moving forward for the sake of her son.
Carlie recalls the day she drove away, her baby in the back seat, her car’s windshield shattered by her abuser’s fist. “That day, I left the house that I thought would be our home with the freshly painted nursery and laundry still in the dryer. I left because his violent acts finally outweighed the chances I was willing to take to make things better.”
Finding Support
All three women reflect on the role of resources and support when they left. Courtney wishes she had known earlier about counseling, legal aid, and shelters. “I believed so much misinformation from my abuser. I had no idea how much help was out there.”
Joy was connected with the Victim Center, which provided her with advocacy in court and counseling for both her and her son. “I wish a place like the Family Justice Center had been available when I left,” she says.
Carlie had friends and family who stood by her, but didn’t know where to find the specialized help she eventually realized she needed. “I didn’t know about hotlines, shelters, or orders of protection. I wish I would have known that I wasn’t alone, and that there were people ready to help.”
Hope and Resilience
What helped them endure? For Courtney, it was spite for her abuser and love for her children. “I thought, why keep giving him power he doesn’t deserve? I wanted my children to see that fighting for life was worth it.”
For Joy, it was faith and her son’s belief in her. “God and my son carried me through. He never stopped believing in me.”
For Carlie, the motivation came later, as she began to see her survival as part of a larger mission. “My wishes for knowledge have become my passion for supporting others. What if our pain is not the end, but the beginning of something more?”
Life on the Other Side
Today, each woman describes a life that once felt out of reach. Courtney says, “I’m not afraid every day. I’m not hiding. I’m living a life instead of just surviving.”
Joy has found stability in a steady job, a safe home, and a son who grew up free of the cycles of abuse that plagued generations before him. “Watching him become an adult without addictions or violence is one of my proudest accomplishments.”
Carlie reflects on the ongoing nature of healing. “It’s not about before and after. It’s about a winding, imperfect trajectory toward a life that is fully our own. What if this is all just a small part of the story, and there is more ahead than what we leave behind?”
A Message of Hope
When asked what they’d say to someone still trapped in abuse, their words echo one another.
- “You’re not alone. There are people who understand exactly what you’re going through.” – Courtney
- “You are stronger than you know. You deserve safety, love, and respect.” – Joy
- “There is more ahead than you leave behind.” – Carlie
Their journeys prove that survival is not the end of the story but the beginning of freedom, healing, and hope.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence or abuse, please know that support exists, and you do not have to navigate what you are going through on your own.
It is not your fault. You are not alone.
About GCFJC
The Greene County Family Justice Center is a non-profit collaborative of local agencies offering comprehensive services to survivors of domestic, sexual, and family violence. Our services are trauma-informed, survivor-centered, and we welcome survivors at any point in their process. We partner with local non-profit service providers as well as local law enforcement, the Prosecutor’s office, and Children’s Division to make victim services more accessible and completely voluntary. If you do not want to participate in the criminal justice process, we support you.
Our vision is a future where we all work together to meet the needs of domestic violence and human trafficking survivors through comprehensive and accessible services, education, and perpetrator accountability. Through a coordinated framework and co-located response, we strive to break the vicious generational cycle and community impact of domestic violence and resulting victimizations.
We can help you plan for your safety whether you plan to stay in the relationship, or you are actively trying to escape. All our services are free, confidential and survivor centered. Have questions about what services are available? Visit us at 1418 E. Pythian Street or give us a call at 417-874-2600. We are open 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday. For after-hours assistance, call the Harmony House/Victim Center’s 24-hour safe line at 417-864-SAFE (7233). If you are in immediate danger, please call 911.