Ana's Story
Throughout the years woman in our society have continued to be abused physically and mentally by the person whom is supposed to show them love, support, and protection; their spouse. Ana Maria Sanchez is a client of the organization Las Valientes, that through the help from Ana Serrano she has overcome the difficult issues from divorce and the legal proceedings which follow. Ana Sanchez first met Ana Serrano, the founder of Las Valientes, at a meeting in Oceanside High school which Ana Serrano attended to present the work her organization provided. During this time, Ana Sanchez was already dealing with divorce issues with the process of her husband filling divorce and trying to fight full custody for their only daughter April.
Ana Sanchez married her husband Martin in October 20, 2001 they were married for thirteen years. Throughout the years they were married Martin constantly emotionally, financially, verbally, and physically abused Ana. April, the daughter which is now 12 years old also was emotionally and verbally abused by her father as well. Before Ana had April she had gone through 4 miscarriages until she finally was able to conceive and carry her first child April. Martin was a womanizer which took complete control of Ana and his daughter’s life, he forced them to be completely dependent of him. Ana describes the emocional abuse as, “el los dominaba con la mirada, el me decía ‘si no te callas el osico te pego.’” Martin made her helpless, alone, afraid of him, which affected her health.
In 2013, Ana Sanchez started having health issues with high blood pressure and had a surgery due to dysfunctional uterine bleeding. During this time her husband Martin had already began to change by becoming indifferent with her and her daughter, leaving for the entire weekends. Ana began to suspect that something was going on with her husband but she could not admit to herself the reality of her suspicions. Even after one weekend that he was gone she smelled on his clothes women’s perfume. Ana wanted to know the truth and one day had April look through his cell phone and read text messages that they found from another woman. Unfortunately, due to Ana’s inability to have proper education she was not even able to read or write in Spanish. Even though Ana had all the proof that her husband was having an affair she still did not have the courage to confront him. Until one day Martin continuing to humiliate and degrade Ana, just told her that he was going to divorce her for another women and he would no longer continue helping her financially. After that day he took his belongings and moved with the other woman in Los Angeles. Ana began having health issues with anxiety and depression due to her husband’s absence.
In January 07, 2014 Martin filed for divorce and full custody in Los Angeles court house knowing that Ana was unable to drive or have transportation to go to Los Angeles and appeal the custody. Martin wanted 100% custody and to take April away from Ana just to continue hurting and destroying her. Martin did not even want to spend time with his daughter the days the court ordered him to. Even though April is young she is aware of the situation between her parents and continues to witness his father’s affair with his mistress. Martin mistress also began to verbally abuse Ana by sending her text and calling her to intimidate her of the things her husband had done to her. Even though Martin and his mistress had already destroyed Ana’s life they still continued to torment and abuse her.
Ana her whole life has been taught to never have a voice for herself and to never stand up for herself. Through the help of Ana Serrano and the organization Las Valientes, Ana Sanchez has gained strength and braveness (“Valentia” y fuerzas”) to speak up and have a voice for herself. Ana Sanchez has now transferred her case for alimony and child support to Vista Court house, which she continues to fight to receive what legally belongs to her. Ana describes that this difficult experience has made her feel helpless, alone, no support from anyone, unable to trust anyone, has lost faith in humanity, unable to sleep, afraid to be alone, etc. but she continues to take everything day by day for the wellbeing of her daughter April. Ana says that, “No quiero depender de nadien y aunque aveces me levante sientiendo como que no puedo yo sola, tengo que por mi hija,” she does not want to depend from anyone and even though some days she wakes up feeling as if she can’t by herself she has to do it for her daughter. Ana is now attending adult school where she is learning to read and write in Spanish, and has begun to break the chains of violence and control from her abuser. Many women as Ana allow for many years their husbands to abuse them physically, emotionally, verbally, financially, etc. and feel as if they can never overcome the situation there in. Through the help of the organization Las Valientes it has provided woman with the legal resources to take action and make decisions for themselves. Ana Serrano, the founder of Las Valientes has provided woman with hope, strength, and the faith in a better future for themselves and their children.
Ana Sanchez married her husband Martin in October 20, 2001 they were married for thirteen years. Throughout the years they were married Martin constantly emotionally, financially, verbally, and physically abused Ana. April, the daughter which is now 12 years old also was emotionally and verbally abused by her father as well. Before Ana had April she had gone through 4 miscarriages until she finally was able to conceive and carry her first child April. Martin was a womanizer which took complete control of Ana and his daughter’s life, he forced them to be completely dependent of him. Ana describes the emocional abuse as, “el los dominaba con la mirada, el me decía ‘si no te callas el osico te pego.’” Martin made her helpless, alone, afraid of him, which affected her health.
In 2013, Ana Sanchez started having health issues with high blood pressure and had a surgery due to dysfunctional uterine bleeding. During this time her husband Martin had already began to change by becoming indifferent with her and her daughter, leaving for the entire weekends. Ana began to suspect that something was going on with her husband but she could not admit to herself the reality of her suspicions. Even after one weekend that he was gone she smelled on his clothes women’s perfume. Ana wanted to know the truth and one day had April look through his cell phone and read text messages that they found from another woman. Unfortunately, due to Ana’s inability to have proper education she was not even able to read or write in Spanish. Even though Ana had all the proof that her husband was having an affair she still did not have the courage to confront him. Until one day Martin continuing to humiliate and degrade Ana, just told her that he was going to divorce her for another women and he would no longer continue helping her financially. After that day he took his belongings and moved with the other woman in Los Angeles. Ana began having health issues with anxiety and depression due to her husband’s absence.
In January 07, 2014 Martin filed for divorce and full custody in Los Angeles court house knowing that Ana was unable to drive or have transportation to go to Los Angeles and appeal the custody. Martin wanted 100% custody and to take April away from Ana just to continue hurting and destroying her. Martin did not even want to spend time with his daughter the days the court ordered him to. Even though April is young she is aware of the situation between her parents and continues to witness his father’s affair with his mistress. Martin mistress also began to verbally abuse Ana by sending her text and calling her to intimidate her of the things her husband had done to her. Even though Martin and his mistress had already destroyed Ana’s life they still continued to torment and abuse her.
Ana her whole life has been taught to never have a voice for herself and to never stand up for herself. Through the help of Ana Serrano and the organization Las Valientes, Ana Sanchez has gained strength and braveness (“Valentia” y fuerzas”) to speak up and have a voice for herself. Ana Sanchez has now transferred her case for alimony and child support to Vista Court house, which she continues to fight to receive what legally belongs to her. Ana describes that this difficult experience has made her feel helpless, alone, no support from anyone, unable to trust anyone, has lost faith in humanity, unable to sleep, afraid to be alone, etc. but she continues to take everything day by day for the wellbeing of her daughter April. Ana says that, “No quiero depender de nadien y aunque aveces me levante sientiendo como que no puedo yo sola, tengo que por mi hija,” she does not want to depend from anyone and even though some days she wakes up feeling as if she can’t by herself she has to do it for her daughter. Ana is now attending adult school where she is learning to read and write in Spanish, and has begun to break the chains of violence and control from her abuser. Many women as Ana allow for many years their husbands to abuse them physically, emotionally, verbally, financially, etc. and feel as if they can never overcome the situation there in. Through the help of the organization Las Valientes it has provided woman with the legal resources to take action and make decisions for themselves. Ana Serrano, the founder of Las Valientes has provided woman with hope, strength, and the faith in a better future for themselves and their children.
