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November
17,
2007
A safe haven
from abuse
Shelter House offers women a chance to escape abusive relationships
By Patrick McDermott - Northwest Florida Daily News
She still checks in with the shelter and now has a home and a job.
There are sad endings, too.
“Unfortunately, there's more stories that don't turn out well than stories that do,” Warf said.
She remembers a woman who left the shelter to go home with her abuser. He had just gotten out of jail for beating her.
“I told her straight, face-to-face, ‘I don't think you'll get another chance, given the things he's done to you in the past. I don't think you'll have another chance for a life of your own,’ ” said Warf, who begged her not to leave.
The woman told her it was like watching a scary movie, when the audience screams not to go into the room with the killer. She was yelling at herself not to go back in, but she could not stop.
She went back to him, got involved in crime, had warrants for her arrest and was continually beaten.
“It's almost like when you've gotten used to something for so long, even if it's bad, it's what you know. It's what's familiar,” Warf said.
Life goes on
After weeks of counseling and support, eventually a woman must leave the shelter. There is not enough room to let everyone stay forever.
“It's hard to turn women away,” Warf said. “It's hard to say, ‘It's time to fly’ when you know there's nowhere for them to fly to.”
WANT TO HELP?
Shelter House is asking for donations to help renovate their kitchen. An account has been set up at Regions Bank. For more information, call 243-1201.
Daily News Staff Writer Patrick McDermott can be reached at 863-1111, Ext. 1394.
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