Survivor Testimonials

• "If it weren’t for Respond I can honestly say I would not be alive to tell my story right now.  I had lost hope and thought there was no help for me.  As soon as I called Respond, the advocate assessed how dangerous my situation was and immediately called the police to intervene. My abuser was immediately arrested and after three years, I finally live free from abuse. What I lived through was not easy.  I continued working with Respond in one on one counseling.  The support and advocacy has helped me greatly.   I admire the organization as a whole and am forever thankful for the advocate and can never finish thanking her. I thank Respond for all their great work and the great people who are part of it”. 

  -J.

• “Thank you for supporting me during this difficult time in my life.  I remembered what it was like to feel beautiful, joyous and happy again. Thank you.”

  -M.

• "RESPOND ha sido una gran ayuda para mí; un lugar donde uno supera su crisis. Es un segundo hogar y más que todo, un segundo chance. En RESPOND, la gente respeta y se preocupa por nuestras metas."

  - R.

  Translation:

  "RESPOND has been a significant help for me; a place where one overcomes their crisis. It is a second home and more than anything—a second chance. In RESPOND, people respect and care for our goals."

• "I have been receiving services from Respond since I found myself in a domestic violence dispute a year ago. My ex-boyfriend verbally abused me, put financial conditions on me and controlled me in a variety of other ways. I went to the police station to get a restraining order and they told me about Respond. The police officer suggested I call so I could receive support and possibly shelter because as I was told, “they see this situation all the time.” Respond was a private and safe place. My advocate knew the mental games my boyfriend was playing to trigger me, break me down and make me it difficult to keep a job or any appointments. My advocate went to court with me, showed me the process and sat there with me until I got my first Restraining Order. From there, I went to a support group and I enjoyed one on one counseling. In group, I connected with other survivors in abusive situations from different backgrounds and social classes. They and my advocate have taught me that Abuse is Abuse. Today, I am just getting back to school. I can thank Respond for being free of my abusive relationship after 8 years of suffering and abuse."

  - N.

• "I have been coming to Respond for several weeks now for counseling and calling the hotline for help when I do not know what to do with my situation at home. For the first time in many years, I now feel hope for my domestic situation and safety. Thank you Respond! As a survivor of childhood sexual, physical and emotional abuse, I found getting out of my recent abusive relationship almost overwhelming. Coming to Respond has helped me to see my path clearly for safety’s sake and for the first time."

  - A.