Woman Uses Education to Fight Domestic and Sexual Abuse
When she found out another relative had been abused by two family members, she decided to go to law school and do her bit to help stop similar crimes.
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January 11, 2010
Today, Wynona Ward works to help domestic violence survivors, but there was a time when she herself was a victim seemingly trapped in a cycle of poverty, violence and abuse. At 40, when she found out another relative had been abused by two family members, she decided to go to law school and do her bit to help stop similar crimes.
Speaking to CNN, Ward said her desire for immediate vengeance was thwarted by more rational considerations when she realized that "I could be more helpful working in family law, where women and children really needed the help and where I could be there for them on a daily basis."
Ward became the first person in her family to graduate from college and earned a degree from Vermont Law School at 48. She then founded Have Justice Will Travel, an organization that aims to end domestic abuse by giving free legal representation to low-income individuals from remote areas, according to the news source.
To date, the organization has helped almost 10,000 women, and partnered with advocacy groups to provide access to shelters, housing and clothing.
Experts tend to agree the cycle of domestic violence is unlikely to be broken without outside intervention and recommend those affected by it seek help from law enforcement, social workers or healthcare providers.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline offers confidential and anonymous around-the-clock help and is available in all 50 states.
Those struggling with abuse as well as survivors can find valuable resources on the website of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
Today, Wynona Ward works to help domestic violence survivors, but there was a time when she herself was a victim seemingly trapped in a cycle of poverty, violence and abuse. At 40, when she found out another relative had been abused by two family members, she decided to go to law school and do her bit to help stop similar crimes.
Speaking to CNN, Ward said her desire for immediate vengeance was thwarted by more rational considerations when she realized that "I could be more helpful working in family law, where women and children really needed the help and where I could be there for them on a daily basis."
Ward became the first person in her family to graduate from college and earned a degree from Vermont Law School at 48. She then founded Have Justice Will Travel, an organization that aims to end domestic abuse by giving free legal representation to low-income individuals from remote areas, according to the news source.
To date, the organization has helped almost 10,000 women, and partnered with advocacy groups to provide access to shelters, housing and clothing.
Experts tend to agree the cycle of domestic violence is unlikely to be broken without outside intervention and recommend those affected by it seek help from law enforcement, social workers or healthcare providers.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline offers confidential and anonymous around-the-clock help and is available in all 50 states.
Those struggling with abuse as well as survivors can find valuable resources on the website of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
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