Before finding Human Options, Ana and her young daughter Farah were living in a home filled with fear. Ana endured physical, emotional, and verbal abuse from her husband. Despite the pain, she stayed until one day, seven-year-old Farah bravely disclosed something unimaginable: her father had been sexually abusing her a few years
Ana was devastated. She had been carrying her own pain anxiety, guilt, shame, and anger, but learning that her child was being harmed changed everything. In her words, “I would have probably stayed with him, but when I found out he was hurting our daughter, I couldn’t stay one more minute.” She filed a police report and entered Human Options’ emergency shelter, determined to protect her child.
When Farah first arrived at the shelter, she was struggling deeply. She experienced anxiety, frequent nightmares, anger outbursts, and fear. Even simple decisions like choosing a game felt overwhelming. She appeared tense and withdrawn, often unable to concentrate.
Through consistent counseling sessions, Farah began to heal. Slowly, she started laughing more, playing freely, and expressing her feelings. Her anxiety decreased, nightmares became rare, and she learned coping skills to manage stress. Today, she feels more confident and empowered to speak up when something bothers her.
Ana is also on a journey of healing. Together, they are working to rebuild trust and process the trauma they endured, something that is especially challenging given cultural norms that discourage talking openly about such experiences. Despite these barriers, they are committed to breaking the silence and moving forward.
One of the most powerful moments came when Farah told her mother, “I love meeting with my counselor. I wait all week for our session.” That hope and resilience remind us why community support matters. Because when survivors are given safety, compassion, and resources, healing is possible.
