My name is Joya Rodriguez and I am a domestic violence survivor.

I have been looking and searching for a way to spread awareness as well as share my story for any other mother who may be in the same position. I want to seek justice for myself as well as any other women fleeing domestic violence and not be heard when speaking out. I want to expose Florida’s corrupt DCF system. 

I have been fighting a DCF/court case since Nov. 2019, as the result of domestic violence. In Nov. 2019, my ex boyfriend/father of my kids physically broke my rear car windshield by throwing a phone through it. Immediately after this happening I, myself, called the cops to help me because I was scared for our lives. I was the victim of every single type of abuse possible; mental, emotional, financial and eventually physical for over 7 years. After the incident, DCF opened a case against the both of us because I was "failing to protect" my children because the abuse had happened in front of them that day and my second daughter was injured from the phone flying through the back windshield. Since DCF opened a case and decided to place my children with someone else, I made the decision of leaving them with "family" and it was the worst decision ever. My two daughters are placed with their paternal grandparents, who are now their "Permanent guardians" but I have not lost my rights to them.

Since 2019, I have completed the entire case plan that was given to me by DCF. The case plan included; parenting classes, domestic violence victim classes, anger management, individual therapy, medication management, psychiatric evaluation, substance abuse (for marijuana and only marijuana), individual substance abuse therapy, AA classes, as well as stable housing and work. I have a Medical Marijuana set up with the Florida Medical Marijuana Registry, as well as continuing individual therapy and medication management this day. The system seems to forget this case came in strictly because of domestic violence. Once DCF got into the picture they decided to drug screen myself and myself only, the only “substance” they found was marijuana. The system has zero interest in the abuse I suffered, they have placed that on the back burner. The system uses my mental health against me. 
The lack of concern and how the department does not care about the domestic violence is very triggering for myself and for other victims. How you can take someone’s children because they are being abused and then disregard the abuse is highly upsetting and disappointing. This right here is the reason women stay in these abusive relationships, the system does nothing to defend us. This right here is the reason people who suffer from mental health do not step forward, because they get made out to be crazy and less than because of it. 

In Feb. 2020, I entered into a D.V. shelter where I resided for almost 4 months where I was working a full time job as well. Since then, I have relocated to be closer to my children as well as it is more affordable than Miami. I have gained successful employment here and rent a 3/2 home in a very quiet neighborhood. The only arguments the department and court have as to why I should not be reunified, is my Medical Marijuana use and my mental health. I have been seeking treatment for mental health almost my entire adult life, it is not fair to be used against me as I have been diagnosed since childhood. 

DCF only took 2/4 children. The court only allows me 2 hours/week with my 7 year old daughter, and 4 hours/week with my 3 year old. Visits with my 7 year old are supervised by her paternal grandparent, who do not even social distance at visits and do not allow me any alone time with my 7 year old. I get two hours alone with my 3 year old a week, I get visits twice a week. The courts have denied me any unsupervised with my 7 year old numerous times. They have denied me any overnights or more than one hour visits twice a week.

I am NOT by any means the perfect mother, however , I do believe I deserve more time with my children. I have been a mother since I was 19 (31 this year), so being a mother is all I know and all I want to be. I want justice to be served as I was the victim of domestic violence and left my abuser. I have come to terms with the fact that yes, I did fail to protect my children as they never should have been around abuse. I understand the mistakes I have made and am working damn hard to make sure it never happens again.

I want my children. I want us t heal. I want justice. I am a survivor. I will not give up.