Domestic violence has been increasing nationally since the Covid-19 Pandemic. Many women and children that had an escape from domestic violence by going to school or work suddenly found themselves having to stay inside their homes where the abuse was happening. But domestic violence has been around since the beginning of time. However, before it was something that was not spoken about and it was even accepted by society. Fortunately, we have slowly progressed into bringing this delicate and hard topic out in the open, and there are places like women's shelters that are providing a safe haven for women and children escaping domestic violence. However, we have yet to eliminate domestic violence from our communities, and in places like Puerto Rico, the crisis has only deepened. In 2024, femicides in Puerto Rico reached an all-time high, with over 80 women killed by their husbands or partners. More than 500 women and children sought refuge in shelters that year alone. Now, with recent government cuts to federal funding, many of these shelters are at risk of having to reduce services, leaving countless lives in danger.
During this Women's History Month, we want to highlight women's shelters and provide them with support. Women's shelters are not only necessary, they are saving women's and children's lives. Four courageous women shared their stories with us at NEDDIE. These are their real, unfiltered accounts—told in their own words—of the hardships they endured to protect their children and save their own lives. No one can understand a life of abuse unless you have lived it yourself. No one can understand what it takes to escape, when all you've lived is a life of fear and pain. It takes bravery, strength, love, and hope to break the cycle, seek help, and start again.
Maria's Story Shelter: Casa de la Bondad
For fifteen years, María lived with her husband, with whom she had two children. What began as a marriage filled with dreams and hopes soon turned into a nightmare of control and fear. For years, she endured emotional and physical abuse and was deprived of her freedom. She couldn't leave without permission, she couldn't speak to her family, and every day she lived in fear of provoking her husband's anger.
One night, the abuse reached its most terrifying point. Her husband, out of control, threatened her with a gun. María knew that if she didn’t escape soon, her life and that of her children were in imminent danger. The next day, she waited for her husband to leave the house and, after dropping her children off at school, asked a neighbor for help. Through tears, she confessed that she feared for her life. Her compassionate and understanding neighbor accompanied her to the police station, where María told her story. That was when she made the brave decision to seek refuge at Casa de la Bondad with her children.
At the shelter, for the first time in years, María felt safe. She received psychological support, legal guidance, and social assistance to start a new life. Her children were able to continue their education without fear, surrounded by a safe and loving environment. Over time, María found the strength to rebuild herself. She studied nursing and, with effort and determination, managed to establish herself as the head of her household. Today, she lives independently with her children, knowing that fear no longer controls her life. María always says that Casa de la Bondad not only gave her shelter but also restored her hope and gave her the opportunity for a future free of violence.
Her gratitude is endless because she knows that, without that support, her story would have had a very different ending.
Sonia's Story
"My name is Sonia and with great sadness, I recall being a victim of gender-based violence. During five years of marriage, I endured a hostile environment, economic abuse, a lack of empathy, and complete abandonment at home. My husband took advantage of my situation as an immigrant—without family, without a job, without money, and with a four-year-old child from a previous relationship.
In my home country, I worked as a journalist for over 20 years and was a self-sufficient woman who provided for myself and my son. Losing my job and opportunities for growth on the island only deepened my emotional wounds. Tired of suffering and fearing a tragic ending, I went to the nearest police station and reported my partner's abuse. From that moment on, my life changed—I regained my essence, my peace, and my tranquility. Most importantly, I saved my life and my son’s.
The police took me to Casa Protegida Julia de Burgos, a shelter for victims of domestic violence, where we were provided with safety, food, emotional and psychological support, and everything necessary to move forward. Today, I feel like I have a home, the peace I longed for, and all the opportunities and tools to achieve my goals—empowered and happy.
I call upon every woman who suffers in silence and is afraid to speak out: find the right moment to seek help, whether through the police or organizations dedicated to supporting you.
Do not delay in breaking free from the cycle of violence—it can be the difference between life and death. "Ni una Mas!" (A common phrase used in Puerto Rico with the beginning of awareness of femicides in the island. Ni Una Mas translates to Not One More, which means Not One More Victim of Femicides)
Luna's Story Shelter: Casa Juana Colón
When Luna arrived at Casa Juana Colón, she never imagined she was taking the first step toward a profound transformation. She initially sought to learn something new through jewelry-making workshops, but what she found was so much more—a safe, judgment-free space where she could rebuild herself and reclaim her power.
Since her teenage years, Luna had been a survivor of sexual assault, and in adulthood, she endured domestic violence. For years, she carried the weight of these experiences in silence. But at Casa Juana Colón, for the first time, she had the opportunity to heal. Through emotional support, workshops, and the solidarity of other women, she overcame the fear and barriers that had held her back for so long.
Today, Luna is not only free from her past but has also turned her story into a source of inspiration. She is a leader in Comerío, actively participating in organizations that promote community well-being.
Her journey proves that when a woman receives the support she needs, her impact extends far beyond her own life—it strengthens her family, her community, and future generations.
Ana's Story Shelter: Casa Protegida Julia de Burgos
"Why Are Shelters Important?
My name is Ana Celeste. I am 48 years old, a mother of three powerful women, and a survivor of domestic violence. This December 2025, it will be 18 years since I was given a second chance at life. And I owe this to a shelter—specifically, Casa Protegida Julia de Burgos. This shelter became my second home and, more importantly, the place that saved my life and the lives of my daughters. I cannot begin to imagine what would have happened to us if the shelter had not existed. I would likely have been just another statistic—one less person in my family—because I would be dead.
After going through the process of reporting the abuse, filing a complaint, and obtaining a protection order, I was advised to go to a shelter. My initial reaction was, "A shelter? What is that?" When they explained that I would be safe there, I felt an overwhelming sense of fear and doubt. I was still trying to process the fact that the man I had married for life (because that is what I had been taught) had tried to kill me, made me believe I was worthless, convinced me that I was incapable, and told me that I could not survive without him.
At the shelter, a social worker, facilitators, and the director guided me and gave me the tools to realize that my life had value, that it had meaning, and that I was intelligent. It was there that a program coordinator and a facilitator saw something in me that I had yet to believe—I was a capable, smart, and successful woman. They also saw a devoted mother who, despite raising her daughters alone, taught them their worth and the importance of independence.
This shelter didn’t just provide me with psychological and legal support, care, housing, employment, and education—it allowed me to be here today, writing these words instead of becoming another tragic statistic. Thanks to this shelter, I am now the voice of those who no longer have one because they were murdered. I am the voice of those still trying to escape but don’t know how. I am the voice of those who make the decision to leave, only to second-guess themselves until they finally break free. And I am the voice of those who survived.
A shelter gave me angels—so many angels. But most importantly, it gave me a sister for life—my friend, my rock, my constant support. She reminded me every day, "You can do this, Ana Celeste. You can." That sister is Inés Marrero. Together, we co-lead "Nuestras Julias Hablan", a group dedicated to educating, supporting, and advocating for survivors. For all these reasons, and because in 2024, the nine shelters in Puerto Rico saved over 700 lives that did not become mere statistics, I stand firm in saying: Shelters are Essential. Without them, the 81 recorded femicides in 2025, according to the Observatory for Gender Equity, could have been in the hundreds. We wish there were none—because even one femicide is too many. Yet, in this early part of 2025, the number has already reached five.
Shelters are Relevant. Shelters are Valuable. Shelters Matter. Shelters are Necessary. Because shelters save lives.
They saved my life and my daughters'. And that is why I can write these words today—because I am living proof that shelters save lives."
In this Women's History Month, join us in supporting women's shelters in Puerto Rico. With your donation, they can continue providing the opportunity of a new life to more women like Maria, Sonia, Luna and Ana.
These are the real-life people that are saving lives. These are the staff members from the different shelters that not only provide a safe place for women victims of domestic violence but also the resources for a chance to restart their lives.
Casa Juana Colón They support women survivors of gender-based violence and their children by providing a safe space for healing and empowerment.
To support them: www.neddie.co/nonprofit/casajuanacolon
Casa Protegida Julia de Burgos
They provide shelter, protection and support to women survivors of domestic violence & their children to achieve their well-being and self-sufficiency. To support them: www.neddie.co/nonprofit/casaprotegidajuliadeburgos
Casa de la Bondad
They provide shelter and hope to women and families as they begin a future free from violence.
To support them: www.neddie.co/nonprofit/casabondad
The Red Nacional de Albergues de Violencia de Genero ( The National Network of Shelters for Gender Based Violence) provides support to gender-based violence emergency shelters in Puerto Rico by promoting advocacy, training, and resources, including to some of the shelters featured in this article. To support their mission in helping all shelters in Puerto Rico: Red Nacional de Albergues
If you are a victim of abuse know that you are not alone and will never be. These shelters and thousands of shelters around the United States are ready to help you. If you need to connect with a shelter you can find them on Neddie. If you google "shelters for domestic violence" a hotline with your nearest shelter will appear. Also, law enforcement, hospitals, and medical providers are trained to help families victims of domestic violence.
To find more incredible causes that are helping and changing people's lives visit www.neddie.co.
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