The First Call for Help

For a victim of abuse, picking up the phone and calling the police is rarely a simple or impulsive decision. It's usually the result of countless sleepless nights, moments of fear, isolation, and the exhausting calculation of risk versus hope. By the time a victim makes that first call, they’ve likely already been through more than anyone should bear.

And in that fragile, pivotal moment, they are placing all of their of trust in the person on the other end of the line—or the one who shows up at their door.

"Finding the courage to make that first call to law enforcement can be terrifying for a victim. They often don’t know what kind of help they’ll receive—or if it will truly apply to their unique situation. Too often, responders are simply ‘checking the box,’ offering generic suggestions that fail to address the specific needs of the case."

Every year on March 8th, the world comes together to celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD), a global event recognizing the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. It’s also a powerful call to action for accelerating gender equality. At Document The Abuse, International Women’s Day holds profound significance, especially as we advocate for women’s rights in abusive relationships and work to provide them with resources to reclaim their lives.

By bridging the gap between victim testimony and legal evidence, the EAA plays a critical role in ensuring that justice is served, even when victims are unable to testify.

The concept of the Evidentiary Abuse Affidavit (EAA) was pioneered by Susan Murphy Milano, a nationally known advocate for victims of abuse, who dedicated her life to creating proactive solutions for those trapped in violent relationships. When the Stacy Peterson missing persons case garnered media attention in 2007, Susan was triggered by all of the red flags from her personal experiences and got to work.