Althea, 85, was married to her husband for 60 years. Her husband had always been controlling and verbally abusive. The last three years of their marriage he became physically abusive as well, causing her to seek safety in a domestic violence shelter on four different occasions, where she stayed several weeks each time. Althea was threatened with loaded guns, chased with a pitchfork, and threatened with physical harm.

Virginia, 63, moved in with her sister who was very ill and needed help. Her sister’s grown daughter also lived in the home and began abusing Virginia and stealing her Social Security checks. Virginia had children who lived in the area, but she was afraid to tell them about the abuse. She finally got free after a final beating sent her to the hospital.

Lois, 77, was living with some of her adult children. They began using drugs and stealing her money. She was locked inside the house daily, her antique doll collection was destroyed, and her clothes were doused with bleach. The violence continued to escalate and a domestic violence shelter got involved. They helped her find a new place where she is safe and comfortable, but only after suffering severe emotional, physical and financial abuse.