The day after her husband went to jail for assaulting her, “Hua,” a Chinese immigrant, reached out to ReWA. Hua’s husband had abused her in the past, but she had always been too afraid to call the police. Despite her fears, she had tried many techniques to prevent her husband from abusing her. She had already begun doing the things she needed to do to escape: she sought help from friends and family, studied English, educated herself, and found work to become more independent.
With the guidance of an advocate Hua was able to navigate the criminal legal system with confidence and strength. She learned about different forms of abuse and dynamics of power and control. She was able to make decisions that were best for her family and create a safety plan appropriate for her situation.