Crystal first came to the AVDA offices on crutches and without her one-year-old daughter. Crystal had leaped for her life from a moving vehicle — her child still inside — to escape yet another terrifying assault by her husband after years of physical and mental abuse. She suffered a shattered ankle that required surgery and months of painful physical therapy for her to walk properly.
She turned to AVDA to gain custody of her daughter, who was kept hidden away for several months by Crystal’s abusive husband and his family. AVDA’s legal team helped Crystal gain primary custody of her daughter as well as spousal and child support after a lengthy court battle. Crystal returned to school with the assistance of AVDA’s Education Fund and graduated from Arizona State University in December 2019. She credits AVDA with providing the strength and support she needed to create a safe home for her daughter and herself.