Picture 3 of your closest friends in your mind.
Picture one of them covered in bruises.
One out of every three women will experience domestic violence in their lifetime.
I am one.
Sometimes, it doesn't happen just once or with one person. Sometimes, you fall into the trap of choosing the wrong person time and time again. Some people would think you just didn't learn, but sometimes...the person with the power to beat you down and destroy you is a wolf in sheep's clothing. They play the game and play it well.
It can be a family member. A boyfriend. A fiance. A husband. And women abuse men too. I don't want to make light of that either. The media focuses on women who are victims but often men suffer in silence because society will view them as inadequate if they come forward as victims.
Sometimes, abuse is a learned behavior. Sometimes, someone never showed the signs or symptoms and had a traumatic experience, and it turned them into a violent, vengeful person. We see this often in members of our armed forces who return from war suffering with the severe and debilitating effects of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. It wasn't their fault, but they have a choice. A choice to abuse and a choice to get help.
It takes guts to end abuse.
It takes guts to walk away.
It takes guts to leave everything behind.
It takes guts to stand strong and defy the one person bringing you down.
It takes guts to speak out and say abuse is wrong.
It takes guts to get help.
It takes guts to share your story.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Please consider donating your time, energy, money, and/or efforts to bringing awareness and solutions to this problem. Consider volunteering at a shelter, donating old clothing to a shelter, participating in a walk in your area, etc. Check out the links below for more information.
If you or someone you know are in need of help, call 1.800.799.SAFE
wow! thank you for sharing your story! stay strong and remember that you matter and that you are a woman who deserves respect :-)
ReplyDeleteYou're a strong, strong lady!
ReplyDelete