Survivor Story: I Tore Myself Apart Trying to Make Him Happy
Submitted by: *Trina, Survivor Victims of domestic violence often feel as though they have to walk on eggshells or modify their behavior as necessary to avoid upsetting their abuser. Because they have been conditioned to believe that the abuse and the abuser’s ‘loss’ or ‘lack’ of control over their actions is their fault, it increases […]
Survivor Story: Her Abuser Uses Custody of Their Son to Control and Manipulate Her
Submitted by: *Ashley, survivor Leaving an abusive relationship is the most dangerous time for a victim of domestic violence. The risks of leaving include many retaliatory behaviors such as assaults, hostage and kidnapping situations, stalking, and fatality. These risks extend far beyond the members of the household and include the victim, children, pets, their friends […]
Survivor Story: I Endured Violent Sexual and Physical Assaults as a Teen
Submitted by: *Reina, Survivor Trigger Warning: This story contains descriptions of physical and sexual violence that some survivors may find particularly upsetting. Please consider your triggers and well-being before reading past this point. Many victims of domestic violence experience sexual violence as part of their abuse in the relationship. Although an increasing volume of information […]
Survivor Story: I Temporarily Lost Custody of My Son After A Brutal Attack
Submitted by: *Marta, Survivor Children are not spared the trauma of witnessing domestic violence in the home. According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, children are targets of abuse by 30-60% of perpetrators in homes where domestic violence occurs. Additionally, witnessing abuse in the home dramatically increases their risk of experiencing neglect and fatality as […]
Survivor Story: My Children and I Deserve Love and Safety
Submitted by: Danielle, Survivor As part of the conditioning and manipulation abusers use to keep their victims trapped in an abusive relationship, the destruction of self-esteem and self-worth are effective tools. Abusers slowly convince their partners that the abuse is their fault and that they do not deserve any better than their current circumstances. They […]
Survivor Story: He Stalked Me and Tried to Kill Me After I Left
Submitted by: *Nancy, Survivor As noted by the National Domestic Violence Hotline, the presence of firearms in homes where domestic violence occurs increases the risk of fatality by 500 percent. Guns are often used by abusers to threaten and intimidate their victims, and, unfortunately, also in domestic violence murder. Some prior victims of violent crimes […]
