Survivor Story: The Abuse in My Childhood Home Primed Me for Abuse as a Young Military Wife
Written by: BTSADV Survivor Growing up in a home of emotional and physical abuse led me on a three-year journey that taught me valuable life lessons. I look back now on those three years of my life and see the strength that I never knew I had. I see my bravery in maintaining my resilience, […]
Survivor Story: After Eight Years of Being Tormented, I Battle PTSD
Written by: BTSADV Survivor I had just separated from my first husband whom I had married when I was 18 and had two boys with. When we met, I was 22, and my sons were one and three years old. He was amazing and sweet, and he was able to show me a life I […]
Survivor Story: I Used to Make Excuses for My Abusive Ex-Husband’s Behavior
Written by: Annie, Survivor I accidentally left my son’s sippy cup on top of the car at the gas station, and it flew off as we drove away. My son ended up throwing up shortly afterward, so we stopped at a random McDonald’s to clean everything up. I was still getting yelled at for forgetting […]
Survivor Story: I Carefully Planned My Escape from My Abusive Ex-husband
Written by: BTSADV Survivor As a 23-year-old single mother of two children, I was dating a guy whose birthday was a few days after mine. We began to have our parties together, and the third year we got crazy and decided to get married. I don’t know what I was thinking other than I really […]
Survivor Story: I Was Afraid of Losing My Family and Being Alone
Written by: Annie, Survivor *This story is one from a series of four submitted by the survivor. I remember the first time I got punched. I fell against the wall and sobbed. I remember being called a “pussy” because I was crying. I remember a few specific phone calls when I called some of my […]
Survivor Story: My Abuser Controlled Every Aspect of My Life
Written by: Samantha, Survivor I grew up in a household of strong women, my mother being the leader of the pack and my two sisters and me in tow. “Never depend on a man” was the mantra repeated to us over and over again. We were never expected to be subservient to men. Having grown […]
