Laura-Jeanne’s Journey
When Laura-Jeanne found the courage to leave her abusive marriage, she struggled to make sense of the coercive control and heal from its lasting effects. Leaving was only the first step in a long and painful journey out of abuse and into a peaceful life.
She believed in justice, and was convinced her abuser would be held to account for what he did to her and her children. Instead, he used the legal system to his advantage, causing more harm to Laura-Jeanne and her family.
Under the guise of justice, her abuser forced her into poverty and PTSD. Unable to afford legal representation and out of money, she had months to wait before any hope of resolution. In a moment of despair and pain, she reached out to her community for help.
The outpouring of love was overwhelming, but something surprising happened. Nearly ten people she knew personally, sent her messages of the trauma, harm and unfairness they had once faced trying to divorce their abusers.
Laura-Jeanne realized she wouldn’t receive justice for abuse and the courts wouldn’t hold her abuser to account for his actions. She turned her attention away from her own case and began a journey to meet with government officials, law professors, judges, lawyers, mediators, and survivors.
Her mission is to help create an alternate process to stop abusers using the system to their advantage. Laura-Jeanne continues to advocate for change in the legal process to bring it closer to fairness and justice.
“I knew the only justice that would come from my abuse would be working to change the system to make it better for all those who will, unfortunately, come after me.”
Advocating Change
Family Court is not only unfair and unjust for survivors of abuse, it is harmful.
Abusers Can:
Use the system for further control & manipulation
Hire good representation and delay because they often have access to the joint financial resources
Cause delays, repeated filing, stalling the process, returning repeatedly to challenge agreements, refusal to adhere to agreements
Attempt to control their survivor and limit their freedom
Keep their abuse hidden
Survivors Often Face:
Unfair settlements because they ‘just want it to be done’
Financial loss and strain, including the inability to hire legal representation for themselves & their children
Compiling their own evidence - reliving the trauma
Lawyers who advise them to keep ‘the abuse out of the negotiations’ for an easier settlement
Their abuser - triggering fear and safety concerns
Navigating different courts and cases - criminal, divorce, & civil (compensation) are all separate
An unnecessarily long process causing further harm and often financial burden