Decades ago, over 100 women in California were severely abused, beaten, raped, and lived in fear daily. They had no choice but to protect themselves and their children from being killed by their sadistic husbands or boyfriends.
Evidence of this abuse was not allowed “in” at their trials. Murder sentences came down: life without parole rather than self-defense.
Numerous laws have been passed, beginning in 1996, and as recently as 2013. California is correcting this injustice allowing the truth and evidence in. As a result, abused women have been afforded the opportunity to present their truth and after decades of wrongful/unjust incarceration – they are getting out.
Five Keys is leading HOME FREE, a program seeking to create residential communities in San Francisco and Los Angeles providing access to life skills and survivor empowerment programs, as well as training and job placement.
Imagine coming out of prison as a survivor of unspeakable domestic violence and wrongful imprisonment after 20 - 40 years. It’s unimaginable. Imagine trying to get a job and you’re told to do it online. You look for a line on the floor to stand in. You don’t know what an ATM is or a cell phone or how to “Google.”
HOME FREE needs financial assistance to launch, as well as support for residents.
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Join us to support these women
to live a life with dignity in the
time they have left.
Five Keys is leading Project HomeFree, a program seeking to create residential communities in San Francisco and Los Angeles providing access to life skills and survivor empowerment programs, as well as training and job placement. (Tax ID: 81-0622701).
On January 1, 1992 Battered Woman Syndrome became law.
Beginning January 1, 2002, Penal Code 1473.5 became law. California became the first state in the nation allowing domestic violence victims the chance to file a Writ of Habeas Corpus. The essential intent of the law was: anyone convicted prior to 1992 that was not afforded Expert Witness Testimony, and had they been allowed, the jury outcome would have been different than the current conviction. Many convictions were overturned under 1473.5 after years and decades. Many are in the process of being overturned.
On January 1, 2005 the law allowed for women convicted in 1996 and earlier to file for relief
with a Writ.