Oct 27, 2018 3 min read

A local woman survived 30 years of domestic abuse before she escaped, filing a protection-from-abuse order and fleeing from her Fayette County home.

Fifteen years later, Christina Romeo said she is sharing her story so those trapped in abusive relationships know there is a way out.

Today, DiMarco’s Bistro & Cantina in Uniontown is hosting Curls for the Community, a weightlifting competition to support victims of domestic violence through the City Mission in Washington County. Romeo’s personal trainer, Stephen Lotman, decided this year’s proceeds would go toward domestic violence after a conversation with Romeo.

“‘Nobody does anything for domestic violence. These women need help,'” Romeo recalled saying to Lotman. “I was lucky that I didn’t have to go to a (shelter). I had a home. Some of these people are left out on the street with nothing, and that’s why they do not leave.”

After decades living in “hell,” Romeo filed for a protection-from-abuse order against her abuser, she said. Over the next three years, she said he violated the order four times and was arrested. She emphasized PFAs work to protect victims. Every time she reported a violation, she said state police arrived within minutes and arrested him. She emphasized it is critically important for those who file PFAs to stay away from the abuser and report any violations.

Statistics from the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts indicate that in Fayette County in 2017, about 47 percent of PFAs were dropped before a final hearing because the plaintiff did not proceed with the process. About 15 percent of filed PFAs were denied.

In Washington County, about 56 percent of PFAs were dropped before the final hearing when the victim did not proceed. About 10 percent were denied.

Romeo said women are often fearful through the process, or have no support for basic needs.

“They have no homes. Where are they gonna go? That’s why they stay there,” she said.

Statewide, PFA filings increased by 5 percent between 2014 and 2017 following a steady decline in statewide data. In 2017, 39,083 PFAs were filed. Ninety percent of filed temporary PFAs were granted in the state. Temporary PFAs are orders granted before a final PFA hearing.

In the process of leaving her abuser, Christina Romeo said she lost her “beautiful” $450,000 home with a swimming pool and flower beds, her job and many of her close relationships. But she felt peace for the first time in decades after she left.

“The first night, I slept all night. I had peace, because I wasn’t there,” she said.

For years, she was afraid to leave the house, constantly watching over her shoulder. After years in therapy, she said she still suffers from anxiety attacks because the fear never fully leaves. She said she does not want to remarry or date, because rebuilding trust in another man is not possible for her. She now works as a pastry chef with her own business, and keeps her friends close.

“I’ve overcome all this,” she said. “I’ve started a new life.”

Curls for the Community begins at 2 p.m. at DiMarco’s. A Halloween costume contest will also be held. For more information, call Lotman at 724-322-8300.