When Ruby was in her late teens, she was introduced to a man who she would later marry. Her parents’ friends made the introduction through friends from church. He was in prison for a violent crime, but Ruby felt they could build a good life together. When he was released, Ruby became pregnant with his child. They got married right away. “I was so scared to be pregnant. How would I be a good Mom when I was so young?” she wondered. With no money, no degree, and a prison record, the young couple found their options limited. So, they moved in with Ruby’s parents. That’s when it started to get bad. They fought all the time about money, about drinking, about jobs. “I was just so tired and working two jobs.” Then, the abuse began. “He would text me with awful, awful things…threatening me, threatening my parents. I was really scared.” In the first six months, the abuse became frequent and was both mental and physical. On more than one occasion the police were called. Her parents told Ruby to try harder to get along. They pointed out that divorce was not an option because of their religious beliefs. They scolded her husband and sent him packing for the night. But, he always came back. Ruby hoped that once the baby was born, things would change.
They didn’t. Her husband continued to beat her viciously. He beat her so hard she had to go to the emergency room. He even hit her when the baby was in her arms.
That was it for Ruby. She knew she had to get out of there; to leave him behind. She had to keep her baby safe. So, she did some research, saved up a few dollars, and worked up the courage to run. She found a domestic violence shelter and took refuge with her child. Her domestic violence shelter directed her to ALWAYS. Our ALWAYS lawyers collected police reports, medical records, text messages, and other evidence of the danger Ruby and her daughter faced and secured orders of protection. Ruby and her daughter are starting a new life now. She says it’s hard being alone, starting over, but it’s better than being in constant fear for her life and her child’s life. “When everybody else turned their back on me, ALWAYS was there.” she says.
Every 44 minutes in Arizona, one or more children witness domestic violence, and 1 in 3 women are victims of domestic violence in Arizona according to the Maricopa County Attorney’s office. And, according to Child Help, every three days someone dies in Arizona due to domestic abuse. If you, or someone you know, needs legal assistance to gain orders or protection, there may be resources to help. If 24 years or younger, ALWAYS may be able to help, if older than 24, contact the Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence at 602-279-2980.
*This is the story of an actual client. For her privacy, the photos and the name used are not our actual client.