Founder's Message
Let me be clear: intimate partner violence in any form should never be tolerated, normalized, enabled, or justified, regardless of who the victims or perpetrators are.
Hello, I'm Elizabeth.
Dealing with domestic violence in the '80s, '90s, and 2000s was an immense struggle—then, now, and throughout history. During those decades, the absence of social media and digital resources/platforms meant that support, community programs, and public awareness were often out of reach. For many, these challenges were compounded by social and racial inequalities. Historical data from the CDC and other agencies shows that women of color, particularly Black women, have faced significantly higher rates of IPV-related homicide—at times more than twice the rate of white women. These disparities were often ignored or exacerbated by a lack of culturally specific resources and deep-rooted systemic bias.
Too often, family violence and these injustices were tolerated, kept secret, or normalized by abusers, enablers, and society at large.
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My Journey: From Survival to Purpose.
The Reality of the Shadow:
For a long time, I lived in the shadows. As a survivor and an advocate, I don’t just understand the harrowing path of domestic violence—I have walked it. Starting as a teen parent, I endured a cycle of abuse that left my life, and the lives of my children, deeply scarred. The terror wasn’t just a feeling; it was the daily reality of being in a relationship with a man who was unstable, unpredictable, and dangerous—someone who threatened to burn down our home and take the lives of my four children, my friends, and me if I told anyone.
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Navigating a Broken System:
When I finally reached out for help, I entered a new kind of exhaustion. I was bounced between phone numbers and agencies, struggling to find safety with the limited resources I had. On top of the trauma, I faced the heavy stigma of intimate partner violence and the terrifying, potential involvement of the Department of Children and Families (DCF). For many parents, the fear that the state will take their children creates a "re-traumatization" that is hard to describe.
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In Massachusetts, our domestic violence system is daunting. Between the lack of community-based programs, insufficient funding, and a shortage of compassionate care, the recovery process and the path forward are troubling. With unstable temporary shelters and massive waitlists for subsidized, low-income housing, securing a permanent, affordable, and safe place to relocate feels nearly impossible—especially for underserved communities
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A Call for Sustainable Change:
Through the grueling process of navigating services, legal barriers, and court testimony, I gradually rebuilt my life. However, I also realized that the system itself needs a thorough overhaul. Current solutions are often just temporary fixes. We need systemic accountability, transparency, and realistic strategies - not more shelters, motel gateways, or big corporations that prioritize profits and self-interest over the communities they are meant to serve and protect.
I founded Scars Into Stars (SIS) to advocate for long-term resolutions that include survivors of all genders, ages, and backgrounds. We must ensure that:
• Safety isn't a matter of your zip code or who you know.
• Immigrant survivors can seek help without the fear of their status being used against them.
• Families are empowered to break the cycle of abuse rather than being kept dependent on an offender or an inadequate system.
• Support is never distorted by race, social connections, financial status, or religion. Every survivor deserves dignity and fair treatment, rather than being dismissed until a tragedy forces an outcry for justice.
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Turning Scars Into Stars:
As a survivor and the founder of SIS, I’ve faced critics who are desensitized to the mission of turning pain into purpose and domestic violence. I’ve met people who told me to give up when the road looked too steep, or who said they would “reconnect once I was established to see if SIS was a “good fit” for their networking. It’s astounding that some would rather scrutinize your growth and strive than help you build.
But I refuse to shrink. My vision is to ensure that no survivor has to choose between an abuser and a broken system. I am proof that you can move from victimhood to a life of purpose, turning the very things meant to break you into the light that guides others home. Trust in God's timing, callings, and plans for our lives—not our own plans or the plans of others.
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Supporting Data & Citations (2025-2026)
The current landscape of Massachusetts and the U.S., the following statistics represent the most recent available data as of early 2026:
• Unmet Needs: On a single day in Massachusetts, domestic violence programs typically see over 500 unmet requests for services, with roughly 47% of those being for emergency shelter or housing.
â—¦ Source: 19th Annual Domestic Violence Counts Report, National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV), released May 2025.
• Housing Stability: The average length of stay for families in Massachusetts emergency shelters has increased to approximately 352 days due to the affordable housing crisis.
â—¦ Source: Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) Data Report, December 2025.
• Child Welfare Overlap: Nationally, domestic violence is identified as a primary family stress factor in approximately 30.3% of child welfare (CPS) assessments.
â—¦ Source: Child Welfare Outcomes Report Data, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2024/2025.
• Racial Disparities: In Massachusetts, the incidence rate of Intimate Partner Homicide (IPH) among Black residents is estimated to be 4.1 times higher than among White residents.
â—¦ Source: Journal of Family Trauma, Child Custody & Child Development (Trends in IPH Massachusetts), analyzed through 2025.
Full Disclosure:
Scars Into Stars, Inc. (SIS) provides the above data and information for educational and advocacy purposes only. Please note that the data, statistics, and research findings referenced were not created, conducted, or originally authored by Scars Into Stars, Inc. All information has been obtained from third-party government agencies, academic institutions, and national nonprofit organizations.
SIS does not claim ownership of this information and includes source citations to ensure transparency and to properly credit the original researchers.
(Isaiah 41:10)
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
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