Sophon was 20 years old with a seven-month old baby when she arrived at Hagar's Women's Shelter fleeing her husband's violence.  Sophon's husband was initially kind towards her.  When she became pregnant, however, he became jealous and violent. He accused her of having a boyfriend and began beating her everyday, eventually locking her in the house for five straight days.

Sophon cried for help to escape her home that had become a prison. A local human rights organization, Licadho, heard her and brought her to Hagar.

Sophon was relieved when she came to Hagar's Assessment Center - she desperately wanted a safe place to live with her child.  Together, Hagar and Licadho provided legal support for Sophon to divorce her abusive husband.  During the court case, her husband caused trouble and threatened to kill her,   

"I still want Hagar to help me complete the court case so that my husband cannot hurt me," she said.  She believes that as long as she is legally married to him, he has the right to abuse her.

After cooking training through Hagar, Sophon reintegrated back into the community.  She rents a small house near the Assessment Center with other friends from Hagar who have also reintegrated.  Hagar continues to support her essential needs and provides counseling and support with her court case. 

"Even though I have a lot of problems, my life is a lot better," she said. "I have learned skills for a job and support my child.  I am not imprisoned by my husband and I am able to send my child to Hagar's Early Childhood Development program.  I have a job at a local Phnom Penh restaurant and in the future I want to have my own restaurant."

Sophon wants to see her daughter get a good education.  Hagar will continue to encourage Sophon as that dream becomes a reality.