From victim to helping victims, Avenues advocate says working with people part of healing process

HANNIBAL, Mo. – One in four women have experienced sexual assault and domestic abuse.

Ja’Nae Weathers is one of them.

In a press release, Weathers said, “I grew up with great parents and lived in a stable environment, but some of the choices I made weren’t so great, and they led me down the wrong path. All I wanted to think about was having a good time, but sometimes having a good time can turn really fast without you understanding or knowing.”

Weathers has made it her mission, as an advocate through Avenues in Hannibal, to help others off that path or keep them from going down it at all. After 15 years with Avenues in the early 2000s, Weathers returned to the organization in September.

Weathers has looked into the eyes of victims, offering support and understanding. From answering phones and staying overnight in the shelter to serving as a victim advocate across the state, she has traveled this road to healing — for the victims and herself.

“Being a survivor of domestic violence and sexual assault has helped me tremendously in this work. I love working with people; it keeps me humble,” Weathers said. “It’s also been part of the healing process for me.”

Whether she’s answering the organization’s 24-hour hotline, helping clients navigate the legal system or guiding them through the process of rebuilding their lives, Weather’s approach remains consistent: meet them where they are and provide the resources they need.

“We try to assess their mindset because not everyone wants to leave. Some feel they can work it out. It’s important to meet them where they are and understand what they’re ready for at that moment,” Weathers said. “Others might not be the breadwinner and may not have worked in years, which affects their skills. So, we focus on empowering them to become more independent, ensuring that if they decide to leave in the future, they have the ability to do so.”

Weathers noted no two stories of sexual and domestic abuse are the same. People may be in different places when they reach out for help. Some might be ready to leave, while others are planning strategies before making that decision. Some may not want to leave at all.

This holistic, trauma-informed approach is at the heart of Avenues’ mission. As a comprehensive resource center serving 11 counties, including the five service counties of the United Way of the Mark Twain Area, the organization offers an emergency shelter, legal assistance, counseling and job training.

When a hotline call is made to Avenues, the caller receives immediate help.

“Whatever county you may be in, they’ll send out the victim advocate for that county. They will come and talk to you. They will help you get an order of protection if you feel unsafe, or they will sit with you,” Weathers said. “We’ll find out what the crisis is at that time and try to help with the needs there.”

From taking the first steps toward change to walking into a new life, an Avenues advocate like Weathers is there. Beyond practical support, Avenues also provides a safe haven where victims can begin to heal and reclaim their sense of self-worth.

Weathers knows firsthand the devastating impacts that domestic violence and sexual assault can have. She also understands the power of healing.

“I want them to know that what happened to them was not their fault. They were a victim, but that doesn’t define them. They have the power to rise above this, to see their own worth and potential,” she said. “My job is to empower them and show them that they can come up from this and do better for themselves. It’s about reclaiming their sense of self, not letting the abuse consume them.”

If you or anyone you know is suffering from domestic or sexual abuse, there is help. The 24-hour hotline is 1-833-AID-NEMO or 1-833-243-6366. In the case of an emergency or immediate danger, dial 911.