Richmond: Family Justice Center Offers Services, Hope to Community

RICHMOND — Menbere Aklilu said she was alone, scared and nine months pregnant when she fled an abusive relationship. Her husband had beat her, verbally abused her and left a trail of cigarette burns on her body. Eventually, Aklilu found a women’s shelter where she gave birth and began piecing her life together.

“I allowed myself to be abused one more day because I had nowhere to go or anyone who to contact,” said Aklilu, who was born and raised in Ethiopia and immigrated to the United States 20 years ago.

On Thursday, Aklilu, who now owns Salute, a popular Italian restaurant in Richmond, shared her story during the grand opening of the West County Family Justice Center, a one-stop resource center for victims of domestic and sexual violence, elder abuse and human trafficking. Read More