Safe from abuse
Marin Abused Women's Services helps students in need
Erin Main
Issue date: 10/9/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Josie Roberts* a native of Marin, lay sleeping, when her boyfriend came crashing into their house. He was high on crank. In a fit of rage he pulled Roberts out of their bed. He assaulted her. He broke her leg. He left her lying in the front yard. The police were called but he was not arrested.
This was three years ago in November in Sonoma County where Roberts was living with her boyfriend. Roberts attempted to acquire a restraining order against her then ex-boyfriend. Because he had not been arrested on the scene the police discouraged Roberts from even filing.
Roberts returned to Marin. She sought help at the Civic Center where the self-help center referred her to Marin Abused Women Services (MAWS).
MAWS is a pioneering organization that has been helping battered women in Marin for 30 years. They counseled her and gave her emotional support. Later they helped her find an attorney, came with her to court, helped her get a restraining order and then helped her to get back on her feet.
Roberts, a second year student at College of Marin, looks back on the situation and sees all the classic warning signs. Her boyfriend started controlling their money. He constantly put her down. He always wanted to know where she was, when she was coming home and he isolated her from her family and friends. He also never took no for an answer. He constantly checked the mileage on her car.
"It started out subtly," said Roberts. "And escalated. It deteriorates your sense of self."
Abusers often show behavioral patterns when in a relationship, according to The Domestic Violence Prevention Program. Abusers may accuse their partner of things they haven't done. They may destroy their partner's property. They might constantly tell their partners negative things about themselves. Or tell their partners that everything is "all their fault."
Over three quarters of domestic violence victims are between 14-44, and the highest risk group is between 14 and 24, according to The National Center for Injury Prevention.
MAWS believes their cornerstone is their 24-hour guidance and help hotline in English and Spanish. They have a 12-bed shelter for immediate removal and 20 or more apartments and condos for transitional housing. They also provide help for men with abuse problems.
MAWS is celebrating their 30-year anniversary by marching through downtown San Rafael. The event is scheduled for Sunday, October 21 from 9:30 AM until 2 PM at Dominican University. They extend their invitation to male and female students here and any supporters of "violence-free relationships."
Roberts is now studying psychology at the College of Marin and getting straight A's. She partly attributes where she is in life now, to the help she received from MAWS. She especially felt a connection with the women from the organization who had been through similar situations.
"Its so important for people to know the classic warning signs of abusive relationships," said Roberts "Organizations like MAWS help to educate men and women to prevent them from becoming part of the domestic violence cycle."
Contacting MAWS:
Marin Abused Women's Services
734 A Street
San Rafael, CA 94901
415- 526-2543 direct
415-457-6457 fax
(415) 924-6616 Women's English Hotline
(415) 924-3456 Women's Spanish Hotline
(415) 924-1070 Men's Hotline
www.maws.org
*name has been changed to protect victim's identity
This was three years ago in November in Sonoma County where Roberts was living with her boyfriend. Roberts attempted to acquire a restraining order against her then ex-boyfriend. Because he had not been arrested on the scene the police discouraged Roberts from even filing.
Roberts returned to Marin. She sought help at the Civic Center where the self-help center referred her to Marin Abused Women Services (MAWS).
MAWS is a pioneering organization that has been helping battered women in Marin for 30 years. They counseled her and gave her emotional support. Later they helped her find an attorney, came with her to court, helped her get a restraining order and then helped her to get back on her feet.
Roberts, a second year student at College of Marin, looks back on the situation and sees all the classic warning signs. Her boyfriend started controlling their money. He constantly put her down. He always wanted to know where she was, when she was coming home and he isolated her from her family and friends. He also never took no for an answer. He constantly checked the mileage on her car.
"It started out subtly," said Roberts. "And escalated. It deteriorates your sense of self."
Abusers often show behavioral patterns when in a relationship, according to The Domestic Violence Prevention Program. Abusers may accuse their partner of things they haven't done. They may destroy their partner's property. They might constantly tell their partners negative things about themselves. Or tell their partners that everything is "all their fault."
Over three quarters of domestic violence victims are between 14-44, and the highest risk group is between 14 and 24, according to The National Center for Injury Prevention.
MAWS believes their cornerstone is their 24-hour guidance and help hotline in English and Spanish. They have a 12-bed shelter for immediate removal and 20 or more apartments and condos for transitional housing. They also provide help for men with abuse problems.
MAWS is celebrating their 30-year anniversary by marching through downtown San Rafael. The event is scheduled for Sunday, October 21 from 9:30 AM until 2 PM at Dominican University. They extend their invitation to male and female students here and any supporters of "violence-free relationships."
Roberts is now studying psychology at the College of Marin and getting straight A's. She partly attributes where she is in life now, to the help she received from MAWS. She especially felt a connection with the women from the organization who had been through similar situations.
"Its so important for people to know the classic warning signs of abusive relationships," said Roberts "Organizations like MAWS help to educate men and women to prevent them from becoming part of the domestic violence cycle."
Marin Abused Women's Services
734 A Street
San Rafael, CA 94901
415- 526-2543 direct
415-457-6457 fax
(415) 924-6616 Women's English Hotline
(415) 924-3456 Women's Spanish Hotline
(415) 924-1070 Men's Hotline
www.maws.org
*name has been changed to protect victim's identity
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