Oct-Nov 2020 Newsletter

Domestic violence awareness

JESSICA'S STORY 
Staying in a domestic violence shelter, Jessica is grateful for APA's Case Manager (CM) in providing translation, guidance, emotional support, and resources. Jessica admits she is more energetic and has a better mood since the incident. She has a new outlook for her future and has a plan. Having enrolled in a cosmetology class, she is motivated to succeed. Meanwhile, Jessica is also looking for part-time employment. She can't wait to be able to move out of the shelter and reunify with Jake.

​Two years ago, Jessica immigrated to the U.S. with her husband, Simon and their teenage son, Jake. With limited English speaking skills, they were  fortunate to find minimum wage jobs when they got here. However, Simon was laid off last year and started drinking heavily. He was physically and verbally abusive toward Jessica. But Jessica told her son not to speak to anyone about what was happening at home.

One day, Simon was drinking and got into a physical argument with Jessica. To protect his mom, Jake got in between his parents and was hit.  Again, Jessica asked Jake not to tell anyone. Fearing for their safetyt, Jake decided to tell someone about the domestic violence situation. This incident was reported to Child Protective Services. Jessica was then placed in a shelter while Jake was placed in foster care.

Jessica was not used to living in the shelter and has trouble communicating with the staff there. APA's CM provided translation between Jessica and the shelter's staff.  Now Jessica has a better understanding of the rules and expectations. CM encouraged Jessica to take walks around the neighborhood to alleviate  her distress and to be familiar with her environment.  And that was what Jessica did. 

After two months at the shelter, Jessica received supervised visitation with Jake. This made her really happy. Jessica was guided and reminded to refrain from talking about the incident. Our CM is working closely with Jessica's social worker to discuss what she needs to do to reunify with Jake.