Tate's Saving Grace
- by: Emily Woodcock
- recipient: Domestic Violence victims, families and friends.
A little about with I want to petition!!
I was 16 years old when I was first taken victim to a man that would soon, bruise, batter, rape, sodiumize, drugged, and keep me hostiage in his house until I became pregnant. Not only did the police never come, they knew his family and made sure we weren't going to do anything. I was 8 weeks, 6 days pregnant when I escaped his arms, ran a mile to his parents house and called for help. It was Jan. 13, 2005. I moved over 5 times to get away and everytime we'd get settled, he'd find us. Even when people break the rules of confidentiality! I was scared to death for me and my infant and because of his danger to us, the people I lived with felt that we were indangering there family as well. So, we ended up homeless in the winter cold. We went back and forth to court on Child Support and of course he didn't once want to have visitation. He then blocked me from legal aid. I was a single parent on the run and Tate had skull surgery because of this man at 6 months of age. In October 2006, he petitioned for visitation. Tate went mute, stopping all communication, coming home with bruises/scars and started acting out sexually at the age of one! When I called social services they said that it didn't fit criteria. In May 2008 I was granted my DVO after years of them saying I had to go back to his county and then back to my county... He didn't complete his Parenting Classes or DV classes with in one year of them being order. Our judge said nothing!! Then on July 4th, she court order social services three times and no one showed. Then I recieved a call that my three year old was on a tractor with his disable grandfather that had last stage Lou Garrets disease, has been soaking wet, showing his private's in front of little girls, being abused, and not to mention there was threats of shooting each other between the Father and Grandfather! First of all, Tate's dad wasn't to be around guns period! I feel deeply about this. He has used weapons against me during the abusive time. The judge then order supervised visitation through the state! Well guess what. From August 2008-May2009. NO DADDY. Tate was nearly potty trained, we had his aggression under control and he was functioning perfectly. I find a red flag when I look at this. You'll see your son when its infront of a woman who you abuse verbally and physically and then when a social worker does, you disappear.. come on JUDGE lets me real. Well we went back to court recently. The Judge said that I was living in the past, that his visitation wasn't going to be taken from him and for his to pick a family member to do visits. Guess who he choose. His mother. The one he has bruised, cursed out, thrown objects at, this is Domestic Violence with as well! Not to mention that he was told by therepists to STAY AWAY FROM KIDS! Lets think about this also, if they are going to beat on a person, what can they do to a child!!
I feel as if every child and person has the right to protection. Please sign my petition, so we can insure that our children wont have to go to visits outside of the Social Services!!! Why does something bad have to happen to them to. My son saved my life! I hope that you can find a way to dig into your hearts and write your legislator about this. We have to do something before our children end up in Domestic Violence, Child Abuse and Sexual Assault Statistics.
"We the undersigned."
I would like to change the following about Domestic Violence and their Children.
1. Take Domestic Violence seriously. It's so serious that every 12 seconds another woman/man is taking by Domestic Violence and 4 women die everyday!
2. No visitation out of social services for any period of time with our children. In Tate's Case he was a little child and no he is making up for all the abuse his dad has caused. Including skull surgery, speech delay's, aggression, and even depression. He's only three!
3. Make Domestic Violence more serious in court. Don't shun a parent that is trying to protect their child! In Tate's case, we fought courts long and hard. Our judge told me, "Quit living in the past." Well I'm sorry but the past is what made me who I am today! I have to be protective of my children.
I greatly appreciate all my petitioner's and whomever else read's my petitions. This is a very serious and scary topic for my family and I. I can't pray enough for the safety of our children and our victims. Please look at the face of Tate and know he has already saved one life. His Mommy's. 
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