{"id":19811,"date":"2025-04-04T17:16:49","date_gmt":"2025-04-05T00:16:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/breakthesilencedv.org\/?p=19811"},"modified":"2025-04-04T17:18:46","modified_gmt":"2025-04-05T00:18:46","slug":"my-prison-break-from-abuse","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/breakthesilencedv.org\/?p=19811","title":{"rendered":"My Prison Break from Abuse"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Anonymous Survivor<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

**The following is written by a survivor of domestic violence and abuse. Names have been changed to protect all involved.**<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Breaking Free: My Prison Break from Abuse and the Hidden Red Flags I Ignored<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The prison break from abuse didn\u2019t happen behind locked bars. It happened the day I left my abuser. However, that escape wasn\u2019t the end. It was just the beginning of an even longer journey toward freedom and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking back now, I see my story through a completely different lens. At eighteen, I was kind, trusting, and raised to see the best in people. Unfortunately, those very qualities made me the perfect target for an abuser. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He used spiritual abuse, gaslighting, and isolation<\/strong> to control me. Quickly, I was pulled away from family and friends, left feeling trapped and completely alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The abuse started early.”<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

On our honeymoon, he staged a terrifying scene, pretending someone had broken into our chalet. He threw a fireplace poker down at me, nearly hitting me. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It felt like he was fighting for his life\u2014but in truth, he was conditioning me to believe I needed him. That moment marked the first of many traumatic bonding experiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The escalation was fast. He drove recklessly, kept me awake at all hours, and spat in my face. He told me my family was worthless, unlike his so-called “Christian” family. When I thought about leaving, he reminded me what would happen if I tried.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The violence only got worse.”<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I was strangled outside my son\u2019s bedroom. Not to mention, I was thrown like trash. I was trapped in rooms while my children cried behind locked doors. Even when I broke my nose, he refused my medical care. I hid notes under the carpet and behind walls\u2014just in case I didn\u2019t survive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But I did survive.<\/strong> And so did my children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, I share my story to break the silence and remind other survivors that freedom is possible. You are not alone.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

BTSADV stands with survivors every day. Their programs, support groups, and survivor stories bring hope to thousands. You can be part of this mission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83c\udf38 Learn how BTSADV can support you or how you can help survivors:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Break The Silence Against Domestic Violence<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check These Resources:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n