Madonna Hebert says she owes a great deal of gratitude to the Metropolitan Center for Women and Children (METRO).
“They saved my life,” Hebert said. “If not for my advocate, I wouldn’t be here today.”
After a 36-year marriage that she said exposed her to repeated abuse, Hebert reached out for help and called the Metropolitan Center’s crisis line in March of this year. The organization aid survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence and stalking through advocacy, intervention, empowerment and transformation. It offers counseling, shelter and legal information and direction.
And, above all else, a way out.
Hebert said her then-husband tried to kill her, the culmination of years of abusive behavior, and she desperately needed that means to get out of an extremely dangerous situation.
“They got me into a shelter,” she said. “Their whole staff … they’re just wonderful people, and they saved me. They guided me … helped me fill out a protection order. I don’t have much of an education and I honestly didn’t know how. My advocate checked on me every day. She still calls to check on me. I always knew she’d do her best to help me.”
Hebert made that first phone call on March 2 and entered a shelter on March 8. She remained there until July 11.
“I could have gone to the shelter on that first day, but (her husband) was in a behavioral center. I knew I was safe for that time,” Hebert said. “But they made it clear that I had a way out and that they’d help me every step of the way. I didn’t want to accept my situation. I didn’t want to leave. They helped me get through it and I’m so glad I did.”
METRO staff and volunteers are trained in crisis intervention and can offer limited placement in emergency shelters and make appropriate referrals. Both individual and group counseling is available for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, or stalking.
A safe, temporary, emergency shelter is available for a victim of domestic violence if needed. Transitional housing is available for victims transitioning from METRO’s emergency shelter to independent living, for up to six months upon approval.
METRO also has a staff attorney available to assist clients who have suffered domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and /or stalking with determining the appropriateness of seeking an Order of Protection through the civil judicial system. The staff attorney assists clients in filing the Petition for Protection from Abuse and the Temporary Restraining Order and provides support and representation at court hearings.
The organization also holds public outreach presentations to a diverse set of audiences on the issues of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and human trafficking. These audiences include schools, staff and students, police departments, social groups, medical professionals, military, churches and social service agencies. The group’s Community Educator addresses the core issues related to these subjects. Prevention and awareness are the primary goals of these presentations. The goal is to educate and re-educate the public by dispelling myth, creating awareness and offering some social change solutions that will, in the end, reduce the number of future incidents.
Hebert said she continues to visit groups and call her advocate to talk as she attempts to mentally move on from her longtime turmoil. She adds that if her advocate does not hear from her for an extended time, she will call to check in.
To reach the 24 hour crisis hotline for emergency counseling and assistance, call (504)837-5400. For further information, visit http://mcwcgno.org.
“If any woman finds herself in that situation, then please, get out,” Hebert said. “I can tell you (the Metropolitan Center) is a great place to start.”
Be the first to comment