Murfreesboro, TN - Seven. That’s the average number of times a domestic violence victim will try to leave before they finally succeed. It’s a number that surprises many — especially those who’ve never lived through the fear, the manipulation, or the financial entrapment that often defines abusive relationships.
October marks Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and for the Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, it’s a time to speak plainly about the barriers victims face — especially in Tennessee, where poverty ranks among the highest in the country.
For Executive Director DarKenya Waller, who spent 17 years in family law before stepping into her current role, the issue is deeply personal. “Power and control are at the heart of domestic abuse,” she explains. “And when someone controls the money, they often control the choices.”
Legal Aid Society regularly works with women who have spent years raising children without building careers. When they try to leave, they’re met with legal hurdles, financial instability, and sometimes retaliatory lawsuits from their abusers. Even seeking child or spousal support can mean a long, expensive court battle — all while bills keep coming and safety remains uncertain.
The organization partners with agencies like the YWCA, the Office of Family Safety, and the Mary Parrish Center offer wraparound services. Their attorneys help clients navigate messy legal proceedings, even when past mistakes complicate protective orders. They understand that problems rarely exist in isolation — and that peeling back the layers often reveals deeper needs.
Sometimes a call about bankruptcy turns out to be rooted in abuse. Sometimes a protective order is the first step toward financial independence. And sometimes, leaving is the most dangerous moment of all. That’s why Legal Aid helps clients plan their exit carefully — from hiding car keys to securing shelter and gathering documents. In Murfreesboro, the Legal Aid Society is located at 526 N. Walnut St. They are open weekdays from 8:00AM to 4:00PM and closed on weekends. Phone them at (615) 890-0905.
Through pro bono partnerships and self-help resources, the Legal Aid Society continues to stand beside survivors, one legal barrier at a time — offering not just representation, but hope.
