I had known about Partnership for years — I had even given their information to other women when I encountered someone who might need support. I always saw it as a crucial resource in our community. But when it came time for me to leave an abusive situation, I had to face the fact that I was now the one who needed their help. I found myself searching for their number again — this time for me.

I spent over a year trying to leave a relationship marked by emotional, financial, and psychological abuse. When the situation escalated and I knew I couldn’t keep surviving in silence, I filed for an emergency order of protection. That moment was the turning point.

When I was connected with Chelsey, my advocate, I was overwhelmed, scared, and exhausted — but I knew I wasn’t alone in navigating the scary parts of leaving.

The hardest part was just walking through the door and saying the words out loud. Having to fill in the blank of “Name of Person Causing You Harm,” and hearing someone else refer to him as “my abuser,” and admitting that I needed protection — that made it real in a way I hadn’t fully faced yet.

It’s one thing to survive quietly — it’s another to advocate for yourself publicly. The process of seeking a protection order brought up a lot of fear, shame, and grief. But the staff at Partnership met me with compassion and no judgment, which made that first step a little less terrifying.

Having Chelsea, an advocate, walk with me through the court process changed everything. My advocate helped me prepare, made sure I understood what to expect, and reminded me that I wasn’t crazy for seeking help. Even just sitting next to someone in the courthouse who believed me — that was powerful. It gave me a sense of safety that I hadn’t felt in years.

Today, my hope is to continue healing and to use my voice to reach others who are still in domestic violence — still trying to find a way out, still being told it’s their fault, still scared. I want to plant the seed for someone else that there is life on the other side. It’s hard. It’s messy. But it’s possible.

I’m grateful to Partnership for helping me take the first real step toward that future.