I have been a victim of domestic violence for all of my relationship and marriage to my husband of 20 years however because I don’t bare physical scars.

I have been treated as though I am invaluable to protect and I have felt invalidated in and of my experience due stigmas on domestic violence because of my marital status ( married). 

I have felt second to my husband as though women are only overly emotional beings making us incapable to think, feel and advocate for ourselves.  My husband insisted on being a superior authority over me. 

In attempting to regain and develop a sense of self. I filed restraining orders that would ultimately be dismissed, my police complaints rejected, child protective service investigations biased. I even had opinionated stigmas directed at me for suffering panic attacks and anxiety. My husband has had the ability to manipulate a social worker, a lawyer, a judge and police man which most abusers charmingly do.

I am petitioning for a change to the bias prejudices and lack of protections given to victims through 50 B stature which vaguely includes domestic violence but only emphasis on imminent threat or harassment. Domestic violence doesn’t necessarily bare physical wounds but can be just as traumatic when it involves emotional, psychological, spiritual, cultural, coercive, and financial. These are all a form of control which is abusive. These forms are not given ANY consideration. In addition representation can be equally hard to find. Therefore offering free and accessible Pro-Bono legal representation is a necessity for all victims. Many women which are only one of many victims can’t afford an attorney because of the control dynamic. It can take years to heal, understand, and for the victims voices to be heard because of the tactics used to prey on a victim’s vulnerabilities which can be through physical and psychological control manipulation and isolation amongst many other forms. 
 It can be harder to prove these forms of abuse because of the lack of support due to not enough understanding which may require a licensed psychologist to evaluate or pick up on in many cases. That is why I am advocating not only for myself and my family but to bring to the attention of those in powerful positions that can create the change, implicate the support and advocate for the victim so they don’t feel dismissed, defeated or invalidated. I felt re traumatized by the system because as a pro se it’s hard to present and execute your case. Domestic violence is a martial issue.  It’s an issue that family portraits can hide behind, it’s a family issue that stigmas can prevent the assistance, discussion, and even the support of because “what happens in this house stays in this house”. What would the neighbors think, our church, and our community”.
Maybe he/she is a model citizen, a charitable giver and a charming speaker. Or maybe he/she has a high official job with a high profile and a high economic status. None of these attributes make any one exempt from being a victim of abuse and no matter how complicated the situation may seem. All cases deserve an opportunity to be heard. All victims should be able to speak there truth!  Today let’s make a change by bringing fo the attention of those in congress and government through awareness on domestic violence and ways that we can counter the ability of the abuser to continue to perpetuate abuse or manipulate the system.
Please Review the 50 b statue and demand it be amended to protect All victims of all sex, creeds, religions, nationalities, and sexual orientations. Domestic violence does not discriminate in its ability to hurt and violate. If your a victim share your truth with me so we can collaborate together and get the results needed to thrive, succeed and heal. 

#FJE4 victims 

#DV counts 

# Amend 50 B stature 

# Probono4DVV