SURVOVOR
NARRATIVES
The following narratives were gathered through voluntary, anonymous contributions from participants in a Nevada-based domestic violence support group. Each survivor consented to share a short statement, and all identifying information has been removed.
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“My ex violated my restraining order, and when I called the cops, CPS came and took our kids away the next morning . They got a warrant by saying I was not protective because I was disobeying the order... by just sitting at my own place. They claimed I was allowing him to come around as if I can control what he does. He is the controlling one. Isn't that why they put the restraining order in the first place? Now I have no idea what I can do to get [my children] back, and it's like they don't either. They just say it depends on my progress. Progress towards what? What does that even mean?"​
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“People tell you ‘just leave' like it's so easy. They don't know what that means. They don’t know that means CPS knocking on your door, everyone attacking you in court, all these things you have to do, all of it. Everyone said leaving would be the hardest part but everything that came after that was a lot harder."
"Tamara"
"D"
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“When I turned onto that highway, I rolled down the windows, put my daughter's song on; we sang at the top of our lungs like it was about to be a new life. I thought you could just go to a shelter, but there was no space so we ended up sleeping in our car that first night. But we were still happy we got out. The next day I called [DV shelter] and the lady said she would see about a hotel voucher and call me back. I said, 'please, I slept with my daughter in a car last night' and thought that would help get us in. I was so relieved when she told me to come in for 'resources', but when I walked up, CPS was there waiting for me. They took my baby away. We were all each other had left."
"Caitlyn"
"Amy"
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“I have all these meetings, and every one is just about what I did wrong... all the things I didn't do to protect them against him. It's never about anything that he did which is what caused all this. It's like they just need someone to blame and I'm the one here. He was off busy planning his defense, so I'm the easy target. He took a deal and got to move on with his life a long time ago and I'm still stuck in this nightmare. They make me come to these meetings, but what I really need is a CPS support group."
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If you have been affected by domestic violence and the Nevada Department of Child and Family Services, we welcome you to reach out to share your experience.
