Dear Friends,

My family and I have much to celebrate this holiday season. As we were decorating the tree last week, I was overcome with gratitude that we live in a safe and violence-free home. But it hasn’t always been this way.

When I first asked for help from Texas Advocacy Project, I was married to a man who hurt me and wanted to control everything in my life and our children’s lives. He often told me that if I tried to leave, he would kill me. He also told me that if I tried to divorce him, he would take the kids. I believed him and kept this all a secret out of pride and shame.

When I did finally gather the courage to leave, my Project lawyers helped me go to court to get the legal protections I needed to stay strong and build a future for my kids. My ex-husband is now serving two consecutive life sentences and will not be free to hurt us again.

After the pain of my divorce healed, I was able to begin my life again. I recently came to trust and love someone new, who fell in love with me and my two children. We have since become a family. We live in a loving home. I had another child last year and now own my own business. I have never been happier in my life.

Domestic violence kills, but there is hope. Legal services save lives. The greatest gift any child can be given is a life free of abuse. Will you help me ensure no child ever has to see one parent hurting another by donating this holiday to Texas Advocacy Project? Your contribution will be used where it is needed most—to provide a violence free home for the holidays to families in their greatest times of need.

Happy Holidays,

Brenda Larcom, Survivor

family violence legal line

800-374-hope (Statewide)

512-476-5770 (In Austin)

family law hotline

800-777-fair (Statewide)

512-476-1866 (In Austin)

sexual assault legal hotline

888-296-safe (Statewide)

512-225-9290 (In Austin)

technical advocacy hotline

888-325-safe (Statewide)

512-476-5386 (In Austin)