A few years ago, Lucy made one of the hardest decisions of her life—she walked into the Washington County Courthouse to file a Protection From Abuse (PFA) order against her ex. That day, she was introduced to DVSSP, an organization that would become her lifeline.
"I’ve been with them for about two years now, and they have really, really helped me with my trauma and everything I experienced," Lucy shared.
At the time, her biggest concern was safety. She lived in constant fear, feeling like she was always being watched. "I would constantly check the news and social media, wondering where he is, if he’s watching me—because I knew he was watching me," she said. DVSSP provided security cameras for her home, giving her a sense of control and protection. "That made me feel so much safer."
But safety was only the first step. The trauma she endured left deep emotional scars. Even after escaping the relationship, Lucy struggled with PTSD, often spiraling into moments of panic and fear. "To this day, my triggers are so strong that I will spiral and go back to that moment," she explained. Through one-on-one trauma therapy at DVSSP, she learned grounding techniques to pull herself out of those spirals.
"My therapist was so wonderful at bringing me back to reality," Lucy said. "As of now, I worry 80% less than when I started."
Without DVSSP, Lucy doesn’t know where she would be today. "To be very honest, last year I was in a dark place, and I was in the hospital. The therapist at DVSSP even helped pull me out of that. If it wasn’t for them, I’d probably still be in the hospital—not doing so well."
Lucy shares her story because she knows how isolating domestic violence can feel. "I didn’t believe anybody could help me, but I found out that not only could I have help, but I wasn’t alone. A lot of people go through this, and you’re not alone either," she said.
For survivors like Lucy, DVSSP is more than just a resource—it is a beacon of hope. By supporting DVSSP through planned giving, you can ensure that life-changing services like trauma therapy and safety planning remain available to those who need them most.
"Always, always speak up," Lucy urged. "Your safety matters, and there are people who will support you. DVSSP saved my life—and they can save others, too."
*Name changed for privacy
