SURVIVORS OF POLICE OFFICER INVOLVED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Clara Colon and I have decided to come together to reveal to many who have called us liars.  We are working on "OUR" next book.  This book will show how our JUSTICE SYSTEM has failed and continues to fail many Survivors of Police Officer Involved Domestic Violence.

To all our survivors be safe and be well.

With much respect,

Rosaura Torres Thomas
Author
"Abuse Hidden Behind The Badge"

https://engendered.us/episode-20-survivor-story-rosaura-torres-author-of-abuse-hidden-behind-the-badge/

REPLYING TO A LETTER I RECEIVED FROM CONGRESSMAN BOYLE

May 1, 2018

Brendan F. Boyle

13^th District, Pennsylvania

1133 Longworth House Office Building

Washington, DC 20515

Dear Honorable Congressman Brendan F. Boyle,

I received your letter from your staff on April 26, 2018, yes, I agree that many of our law enforcement officers make the ultimate sacrifice to protect our citizens.  I do have a question for you? I am a survivor of Police Officer Involved Domestic Violence.  My ex husband Keith R. Sadler was the Chief Inspector for the Philadelphia Police Department.  In 2008 he retired and became the Chief of Police in Lancaster, PA.  For years I pleaded for help and with much sadness my cries went on deaf ears.  In March of 1999 Keith caused me to have retinal detachment from the right eye, a month later my ex-husband left. 

I was warned many times no one would listen to my cries and he was right.  I ran for years afraid of my own shadow.  You see Keith knew of his power and he was right.  

Leaving Philadelphia and relocating to Lancaster, Pa before he became the chief I thought I would be safe but…I was not.  After 10 years of fear for my life I decided to write and self-publish my book “Abuse Hidden Behind The Badge.”  What truly leaves me baffle is how many in City Council knew of the abuse I sustained and ignored my pleas as Council Woman Maria Quinones so politely shared with me why my ex husband did not become Philadelphia Police Commissioner.  They knew, city council knew of the abuse.  God help me, even some staff members from Women Against Abuse also shared with me why I did not receive their help, it was informed to lower staff not too.  I can go on but…what good would it do me, I am ashamed to say that our legal system has failed me and many more. 

So, I applaud you for the amazing work you are doing for our fallen officers but…when do we start counting, when does our lives matter.

Sincerely,

Rosaura Torres Thomas

"SCAM ARTIST"

https://forwardobserver.com/2018/02/new-policy-change-in-baltimore-could-make-police-officers-financially-responsible-for-lawsuits/

I am a bit lost for words. For years Clara Colon and I and many others have been begging for many to hear the cries of so many survivors of Police Officer Involved Domestic Violence. 

Clara Colon and I have and continue support other survivors. We know the person by the name of Lynn Tyman who developed this program but without the help of Clara and myself.

"We" are the survivors of Police Officer Involved Domestic Violence, I am visually impaired, with PTSD, Clara is a survivor of Breast Cancer, with PTSD. I often wondered why were our cries for more years than any of our survivors care to admit have been ignored. 

I lower my head with shame, we trusted Lynn with our stories.  WE shared with her how we can bring accountability for the survivors with new policies.  We wanted more than anything to help other survivors but instead she profited on the abuse we suffered.  

What do we tell other survivors?  Can we trust one another?  

Many of us have never seen justice!!  We have been ridiculed for being survivors.

Thank you,

Rosaura Torres Thomas - Author

"Abuse Hidden Behind The Badge" 

"I KNEW I WAS GOING TO LOSE MY CASE"

For the last few day’s CNN and other news media have been discussing the cover up in regards to Rob Porter and how he abused his first and second wife.  The horrible truth about domestic violence or any abuse, many who are in power continue to protect the abuser instead of helping the survivor.

It will be eight years in June when I decided to release my book and I knew the risk I would be taking and how many would attack me.  During many of my interviews on radio, television, I even did a play but my voice did go on deaf ears.

 

At the time my book was released I was in a legal battle against the retired State Trooper Anthony Suber for the abuse I suffered by his hands, I confided in this horrible man!  My ex-husband Keith R. Sadler caused me my first retinal detachment.  

This horrible ex trooper caused me my second retinal detachment.

I knew with every part of my soul I was not going to win this case, you see Diane Wetendorf Advocate Against Domestic Violence, was quite honest and said “You will lose, they never go against any police.”  As I sat in the court room with so much sorrow but I remember Diane’s words and she was right.

 

When the jury did not find the trooper liable for my injuries I have lost all faith in the justice system.  My attorney Robert Vance tried to appeal my case, he texted me and said the judge had sabotage my case. 

I recall a city council woman telling me why Keith never became Police Commissioner for Philadelphia Police Department, many knew of the abuse I had suffered by his hands.

 

When the time is right I will reveal the names of those who approached me and said they knew.

To all my strong survivors, be safe all of you, we still have a difficult road ahead.

Rosaura Torres Thomas – Author

“Abuse Hidden Behind The Badge”

“I AM YOUR REMINDER OF THE ABUSE OF THE PAST”

Many survivors of Police Officer Involved Domestic Violence/Domestic Violence physical abuse heal and you can no longer see the past scars but only the survivor knows of their scars.  I now walk with a seeing eye Cain.  I never go out at night because I cannot see.  Yesterday at 6:00 PM I accompanied my daughter to Franklin Town Charter High School, so she could speak to the Board of Trustees.  There are no lights!!!  If any lights they were coming from the inside of the buildings.  I could not see anything but…I let my Cain guide me and as I walked and I prayed with each step.

I hear from my children how wonderful their father is doing now at the State Attorney’s General Office.  I pray for him (Keith R. Sadler.)  Your denial and the retired State Trooper Anthony E. Suber denial of the damage you both have caused me at times does open up my past wounds but…. I am a reminder of the abuse I suffered by your hands, I am sure watching me walk with a seeing I Cain does not make any of my children feel better or maybe they wished it would go away?  I thank our Great Spirit each day for his strength and his guidance he has given me.

So, to my children, I cannot change or erase the physical damage your father has caused me but I want you to know that I will always be a reminder of the damage he and that state trooper has caused to my vision.

Be bless always,

Rosaura Torres Thomas

Author

“Abuse Hidden Behind The Badge”

"MY VOICE WILL BE HEARD"

Just like many Republicans, I feel our PA State Attorney General does not vet his people. You will not have my vote. The next time you run for office, I will be that voice who will remind you of, the injustice that has happened to me. I will not allow you or anyone else to keep me silent. Every chance I get, I will remind those in power to do their JOB!!

Rosaura Torres Thomas

Author

"Abuse Hidden Behind The Badge"

WHY DID SO MANY IGNORE THE CRIES

This was wrong, no matter how you look at it, it was wrong. Now, I am a survivor of Police Officer Involved Domestic Violence. Many politicians here in Philadelphia, PA knew my ex was beating me which caused me retinal detachment. Fearing for my safety, I ran to another town, thinking I would be safe, well guess again. I am now visually impaired and I walk with a Cain. None of my abuser were ever held accountable for the damage they caused me....I applauded Senator Franken for holding himself accountable. I wish my ex husband Keith R. Sadler and retired State Trooper Anthony E. Suber would do the same as Senator Franken did. Be bless and be safe my warriors.

Thank you,

Rosaura Torres Thomas
Author
"Abuse Hidden Behind The Badge"