“My life is a failure”… These are Justine’s words when she arrived at L'Arrêt-Source. She is 29 years old, and her life is already an accumulation of abuse. As a young child, she experienced physical and verbal abuse from her mother. As a teenager, she was bullied by her peers, then her father kicked her out when she turned 18. The first time her mother hit her and the day her father kicked her out are her worst memories.

Over the past few years, she has been abused by her partner, who is 45 years older than her. When she arrived at L’Arrêt-Source, she had been living with her partner for 8 years. She describes both physical and psychological abuse from this man. The situation deteriorated in the early days of the pandemic. Her isolation continues within L’Arrêt-Source, the impacts of the abuse she lived through are obvious. She has difficulty smiling, sharing, and trusting others. Justine’s project is to finish her Secondary 3 and then obtain a DEP (diploma of professional studies). Discreetly, she continues to study. Her personal development is encouraging, she is meeting small challenges and becoming aware of certain difficulties that prevent her from having relationships with others.

After one year of living at L’Arrêt-Source, she leaves us with a light heart because she has access to low-cost housing. She will finally have what is most important for her, a living space where she is independent, free, and safe. She is also happy to welcome her best partner, her cat named Pantoufle.