Helping M
Donation protected
__Update 1/24/2020__
Maria is deeply grateful for your support- she would not be surviving without it. It’s hard to believe- but it’s been over a year and a half since she was raped.
The trial has been continued 6 times during this time period- which has been very difficult for Maria as she is constantly triggered and overwhelmed by the process. The latest trial date was set for January 21st- and it was continued again over the prosecutor and Maria’s strong objections, as all of the evidence discovery is done. The next trial confirmation hearing is set for 2/13 with the trial set for 2/24. We are hoping this is that last continuance.
Even if it is- Maria will be on deck that week- waiting to see on that Monday if her trial is one among the many pending that are confirmed. This means she might have weeks of being in limbo, trying to prepare emotionally, physically and logistically over and over again.
Maria is continuing to struggle with associated financial issues since her rape, compounded by her mother’s 2 hospitalizations in the ICU last year.
She is embarrassed to still need help- but willing to ask again if anyone has the capacity to donate (and she wanted to emphasize that she completely understands if that isn’t possible and is grateful for all that has been shared).
Maria is going to update this page with updates as she gets closer to the trial date.
One request she wanted to share is that she will need help during the trial with the logistics of her life- getting James to school, taking care of her disable mom and taking care of herself. She is going to organize a sign up for people to volunteer for some of these tasks.
She wants to ask - if at all possible- please come and pack the courtroom during the trial, particularly when she has to testify during the beginning. This will be the first time she will be in the same room with him since he raped her- and she understandable nervous and scared. The prosecutor will be standing near the jury box and across from the witness stand to direct Maria to not look at him. She would love to see your faces sitting in the rows behind the prosecutor to help her feel strong and supported.
As was the case before, since Maria is deeply concerned about her safety, we ask that you do not post this link on any public website or social media that could be searchable.
___Prior Message____
In mid-July, our friend Maria Flores was violently raped by a man she had been dating. She drove herself to the hospital for a forensic exam and rape kit. He used himself and a foreign object, which stabbed her internally. This caused uncontrollable bleeding and required surgery to repair the laceration and laproscopically check that her cervix and uterus were not punctured. She was on FMLA during the summer and has returned to work with intermittent FMLA for her ongoing health needs. Her body has healed and she is working on her emotional and mental health, as well as her security and legal protections. She decided to report him to police on 9/28 and is working with law enforcement now on the investigation.
Her emergency fund was depleted and she used the initial funds donated to improve the security of her house and pay for her medical bills. We are continuing to raise funds for her for this new phase of her recovery-for an attorney retainer fee and bills, as well as additional funds ready in case additional safety precautions need to be taken once he learns that she reported him to law enforcement.
Since Maria is deeply concerned about her safety, we ask that you do not post this link on any public website or social media that could be searchable. She is involved in an ongoing investigation and fears violent retaliation for reporting him-so keep this private to protect her. She has given permission for you to circulate this link through email to people who you think would be able to contribute and requests that you cc her on any email that you send. Her email address is [email redacted].
Any funds not used by Maria will be donated to a local domestic violence and sexual assault center.
Maria is deeply grateful for your support- she would not be surviving without it. It’s hard to believe- but it’s been over a year and a half since she was raped.
The trial has been continued 6 times during this time period- which has been very difficult for Maria as she is constantly triggered and overwhelmed by the process. The latest trial date was set for January 21st- and it was continued again over the prosecutor and Maria’s strong objections, as all of the evidence discovery is done. The next trial confirmation hearing is set for 2/13 with the trial set for 2/24. We are hoping this is that last continuance.
Even if it is- Maria will be on deck that week- waiting to see on that Monday if her trial is one among the many pending that are confirmed. This means she might have weeks of being in limbo, trying to prepare emotionally, physically and logistically over and over again.
Maria is continuing to struggle with associated financial issues since her rape, compounded by her mother’s 2 hospitalizations in the ICU last year.
She is embarrassed to still need help- but willing to ask again if anyone has the capacity to donate (and she wanted to emphasize that she completely understands if that isn’t possible and is grateful for all that has been shared).
Maria is going to update this page with updates as she gets closer to the trial date.
One request she wanted to share is that she will need help during the trial with the logistics of her life- getting James to school, taking care of her disable mom and taking care of herself. She is going to organize a sign up for people to volunteer for some of these tasks.
She wants to ask - if at all possible- please come and pack the courtroom during the trial, particularly when she has to testify during the beginning. This will be the first time she will be in the same room with him since he raped her- and she understandable nervous and scared. The prosecutor will be standing near the jury box and across from the witness stand to direct Maria to not look at him. She would love to see your faces sitting in the rows behind the prosecutor to help her feel strong and supported.
As was the case before, since Maria is deeply concerned about her safety, we ask that you do not post this link on any public website or social media that could be searchable.
___Prior Message____
In mid-July, our friend Maria Flores was violently raped by a man she had been dating. She drove herself to the hospital for a forensic exam and rape kit. He used himself and a foreign object, which stabbed her internally. This caused uncontrollable bleeding and required surgery to repair the laceration and laproscopically check that her cervix and uterus were not punctured. She was on FMLA during the summer and has returned to work with intermittent FMLA for her ongoing health needs. Her body has healed and she is working on her emotional and mental health, as well as her security and legal protections. She decided to report him to police on 9/28 and is working with law enforcement now on the investigation.
Her emergency fund was depleted and she used the initial funds donated to improve the security of her house and pay for her medical bills. We are continuing to raise funds for her for this new phase of her recovery-for an attorney retainer fee and bills, as well as additional funds ready in case additional safety precautions need to be taken once he learns that she reported him to law enforcement.
Since Maria is deeply concerned about her safety, we ask that you do not post this link on any public website or social media that could be searchable. She is involved in an ongoing investigation and fears violent retaliation for reporting him-so keep this private to protect her. She has given permission for you to circulate this link through email to people who you think would be able to contribute and requests that you cc her on any email that you send. Her email address is [email redacted].
Any funds not used by Maria will be donated to a local domestic violence and sexual assault center.
Organizer and beneficiary
Paula Moore
Organizer
Olympia, WA
Maria Flores
Beneficiary