I Still Have the Scars but I Will Always Wear Them with Pride
Criminal harassment, forcible confinement, assault, gaslighting, manipulation, psychological abuse are all terms that I had come across in my life. They were terms that I was familiar with on a need-to-know basis. As it turns out, I did not know enough about any of them until I somehow landed smack dab in the middle of it all.
Survivor Story: My Daughter and I Were Homeless for Six Months After Leaving My Abusive Husband
Submitted by: *Louise, Survivor Common barriers faced by domestic violence victims when trying to leave include financial dependency upon the abuser, lack of transportation and employment, and lack of access to affordable, stable housing. Often, victims and survivors are forced to make a choice no one should. They either sacrifice shelter in exchange for their […]
Survivor Story: He Blamed Me for His Drinking and Assaulted Me When I Tried to Take Our Daughter to My Mother’s House
Submitted by: *Eliza, Survivor Many people falsely believe that drug and alcohol abuse and mental health issues are key underlying causes of domestic violence. Rather, these are contributory factors that have been shown to increase the frequency and severity of abuse experienced by the victim. Differences in how control, awareness, and choice present in the […]
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 […]
Survivor Story: She Survived an Assault That Required Reconstructive Surgery
Submitted by: *Patricia, Survivor Children who grow up in homes with domestic violence are at increased risk of abuse and neglect. Additionally, the on-going trauma in the home extensively affects the children’s mental and physical health. Victims often report that leaving an abuser or seeking out safer living arrangements is heavily influenced by a need […]
Survivor Story: I Was Forced to Give Up My Pets When I Left
Written by: Kenna, Survivor Many survivors face the heartbreaking decision of leaving an abuser or staying because they fear for their pets’ safety. Increasing numbers of shelters and cooperating agencies are expanding services for victims in crisis that include sheltering pets. Unfortunately, these programs are still not available in many areas, and pets are often […]
