Five Years Ago

05/14/2021

DID YOU KNOW? According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, "homicide is the leading cause of death for pregnant women in the United States.  An estimated 20% of pregnant women experience domestic violence during their pregnancy, making it more common than gestational diabetes and preeclampsia, which are routinely screened for by physicians."

"FIVE years ago on an April Friday,
you tried to take mine & my mom's life away.
You beat my mom so bad,
to cover her stomach and protect me was all she had.
You punched, pushed & pulled her down,
until you knocked her to the ground.
As my siblings looked on I hear you say, 
I hope you die & go away.
You are a monster, a mean, awful person, that I am thankful I will never have to know, now here's the story of how my little life will go.

I will never have to live in fear,
because a place called SafeHomes is near.
They keep us safe, and yes it takes a team,
to keep my mommy from having nightmares of you and bad dreams.
Because of them, you will never come near,
and we will not have to live in fear.
Thank you SafeHomes for all that you do,
I cannot wait for ya'll to watch me grow and see what all I can do.
I may be small now but the more I grow,
one thing is for sure and that's a domestic violence life I will never know.
I have lots of brothers and sisters and a huge family too,
that keeps me safe from that awful you.
These socks are big now, but soon they will fit, 
and I can rule the world with my confidence."

This poem was written by a domestic violence survivor, who was inspired after multiple unscripted statements made by her youngest child.

Heal. Empower. Transform.