“Where Will I Sleep Tonight?”
The Crisis we don’t talk about
A survivor’s journey after leaving abuse—and the crisis we don’t talk about enough.
She packed a bag while he was at work—just a few essentials for her and her child, and walked out the door, heart pounding. She didn’t know what would happen next, but she knew she couldn’t stay.
That was the easy part.
What came next was far harder than she ever expected.
The Hidden Crisis After Escaping Abuse
When people talk about leaving an abusive relationship, they often focus on that pivotal moment of escape. But for many survivors, the hardest battles begin after they leave.
One of the biggest? Finding a safe place to live.
Survivors often walk away with no savings, no access to credit, and no home. Some flee in the middle of the night, others carefully plan—but in both cases, housing becomes an urgent and overwhelming need.
Emergency shelters are often full. Affordable apartments are out of reach. Transitional housing programs are limited. Survivors may be placed on months-long waitlists while trying to stay hidden and safe.
Many return to unsafe situations simply because they have nowhere else to go.
At Maison Femme, We Understand.
Every survivor’s story is different—and so are their needs.
That’s why we meet each person where they are.
For some, it’s a safe bed for the night. For others, it’s temporary housing that welcomes children or pets, transportation to get to work, or legal advocacy to begin rebuilding.
We don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. Our case-by-case support model allows us to respond with dignity, flexibility, and compassion—because healing starts when someone feels truly seen and supported.
Barriers Survivors Face
Long shelter waitlists and limited availability
Discrimination by landlords over lack of income or rental history
Childcare and transportation challenges
Legal complications from shared leases, custody battles, or restraining orders
Emotional toll of starting over while healing from trauma
The system isn’t built for people in crisis—and yet every day, survivors are expected to navigate it on their own. At Maison Femme, we believe that no one should have to fight that hard for safety.
Where Survivors Can Turn for Help
Whether you're in Washington State or elsewhere in the U.S., help is out there.
🟣 National Support
National Domestic Violence Hotline
📞 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) | 📱 Text “START” to 88788
🌐 thehotline.org
24/7 confidential support and resource navigation.WomensLaw.org
🌐 womenslaw.org
State-specific legal information and referrals.StrongHearts Native Helpline (for Native communities)
📞 1-844-7NATIVE | 🌐 strongheartshelpline.org
🟣 Washington State Resources
Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence (WSCADV)
🌐 wscadv.orgDSHS Domestic Violence Program
🌐 dshs.wa.gov/domestic-violence
Key Local Providers:
New Beginnings (Seattle) – (206) 737-0242 | newbegin.org
DAWN (South King County) – (425) 656-7867 | dawnrising.org
YWCA Pierce County (Tacoma) – (253) 383-2593 | ywcapi.org
SafePlace (Olympia) – (360) 754-6300 | safeplaceolympia.org
YWCA Spokane – (509) 326-2255 | ywcaspokane.org
DVS of Snohomish County – (425) 252-2873 | dvs-snoco.org
Korean Women's Association (KWA) – 24/7 Crisis Line: (253) 359-0470 | kwacares.org
Provides emergency shelter, legal advocacy, and culturally specific services for survivors.
How You Can Help
Safety should never depend on luck or funding. Yet for so many, it does. Together, we can change that.
Advocate for increased housing and survivor services
Donate to organizations that provide wraparound support
Share resources—you never know who may need them
Speak up for policies that protect and empower survivors
Because “Where will I sleep tonight?” should never follow the words “I finally left.”
