Angela’s Story: Financial Abuse: The Hidden Grip of Control
Financial Abuse occurs in 99% of domestic violence cases.
-
-
Lena’s Story: Coercive Control: The Invisible Chains That Bind
Coercive Control: The Invisible Chains That Bind Coercive control is one of the most devastating—yet often overlooked—forms of domestic abuse. Unlike physical violence, coercive control operates through a pattern of domination, intimidation, and manipulation that slowly strips a woman of her freedom, confidence, and identity. It is the quiet tightening of restrictions, the constant monitoring,…
-
Little Wife Gets A New Name
“I have a job interview! I have a job interview! Someone might want to give me a real job! Thank you Jesus for this amazing day! You are so good to us!” Little Wife was singing and dancing. The invitation for a job interview was the Miracle of the Day, and Little Wife couldn’t even…
-
FOCUS Ministries and Word of God Church Partnership
Sometimes you walk into a church expecting to attend a gathering—and instead, you witness the heart of the Gospel in motion. That is exactly what our time at THE WORD OF GOD Church in Melrose Park, IL felt like. FOCUS Ministries was blessed to spend an evening on August 28, 2026 with a vibrant community…
-
Little Wife Goes to Court
Little Wife’s little knees were shaking. Her little hands were shaking. Her tiny little voice was shaking. “Ma’am, could you please speak up?” asked the judge. Little Wife looked behind her to the court advocate who had helped prepare her statement and other court documents. The court advocate nodded to Little Wife to continue. “Your…
-
Stories of Hope — Elena
Elena began attending our support group two years ago. Her story was different from the other women in the group because she wasn’t married to an abuser – her parents and family were the source of all pain and suffering for her whole life. From an early age, she was singled out as the scapegoat…
-
Little Wife is Stalked
“That was him, I know it was him,” Little Wife whispered to herself. She peeked into the rear view mirror of the rental car to catch another look at the car that had just passed her by. Big Man had mysteriously appeared at the scene of the car crash two days before. Her phone showed…
-
-
Little Wife Crashes
After her escape from Big Man, Little Wife filled her days with job hunting, apartment searching and driving her children to school and their activities, trying to keep life for the children as normal as possible, all things considered. There was so much to consider and many life details to be worked out. They stayed…
-
Little Wife Goes Back Home
The very next day Little Wife called the local police station. “Hello, is this the police? Yes, my name is Little Wife and I left my abusive husband yesterday. Yes, his name is Big Man. Yes, my children and I left him yesterday with nothing but the clothes on our backs…and a little bit…
