Domestic violence survivor finds support from SARAH’s House in Defiance County

DEFIANCE, Ohio — For survivors of domestic violence in Defiance County, SARAH’s House provides a path toward healing.

Cait, a local survivor who asked that her last name not be used, said the support she’s received from her victim advocate at SARAH’s House has helped her rebuild her life after four years in an abusive relationship.

“I was in a domestic violence relationship, and I finally got the courage to leave,” Cait said. “It’s helped me immensely because when I was in it at that time, I kind of didn’t see a future for myself. It was nice to have someone give me encouraging words and always be there with any question I had.”

Cait said the abuse she endured wasn’t just physical, “it was verbal abuse, physical abuse, mental abuse. Kind of all of the above.”

Michelle White, director and victim advocate at Defiance County Victims Assistance at SARAH’s House, said the center serves between 45 and 60 survivors each quarter. It provides a homelike environment where survivors and their families can begin their recovery.

“We’re able to offer them a safe place to stay if they need to get away right away or they don’t have a place to go, to ultimately start to rebuild their lives,” White said.

In addition to housing and emotional support, SARAH’s House offers court advocacy and other resources to help victims navigate the legal system. For White, the mission is deeply personal. She said she witnessed domestic violence in her own family and now channels that experience into helping others heal.

“It’s still traumatic even to this day. That’s 30-some years later,” White said. “But I think me being able to help other people also helped me be able to get through it.”

Cait said that ongoing support from SARAH’s House has been instrumental in her recovery.

“Now I’m doing much better after going through therapy and getting the help that I needed with my advocate being able to guide me,” she said.

SARAH’s House continues to serve as a safe haven in Defiance County, offering hope and healing for those rebuilding their lives after domestic violence.