I’m Still Working Hard to Find My New Normal
Valerie escaped her abuser after a 13-year relationship, finding safety for herself and her 3 children. Like most abusive relationships, hers escalated steadily to almost deadly levels, while she hid signs of abuse from those around her. Read her story to find out how she survived both her abuser and the legal system to get to where she is today.
I Was Humiliated and Abused by My Own Family
Survivor Reshma experienced abuse at the hands of her family after immigrating from Pakistan. They use physical violence, threats, and oppression to keep her captive in her own home. To this day she suffers from the lasting effects of the violence inflicted on her by people who were supposed to protect her.
Learning to be Independent
Learning to be independent after our abusive relationships is something we may have great difficulty in doing. We are so accustomed to living by their rules and their way of life that we don’t know anything else. We don’t know how to step, speak, and live. We need to relearn everything all over again.
Processing Grief
Loss of any kind is a part of this world. It’s something we, unfortunately, have to learn to cope with. How we process this loss is also a part of this world.
With Six Kids to Care for, I Was Trapped
Elizabeth met a man who would eventually become her abuser when she was in high school. Over the years, they had six kids, which only strengthened his control over her. The physical and financial abuse kept Elizabeth and her children trapped. She had nowhere to go for help, and no way to financially provide for six kids on her own, so she stayed hoping it was the best way to protect and provide for her children.
How to Cope with Survivor’s Guilt
You are free and clear. You are not with the abuser anymore. You can live your life free of abuse, pain, shame, and a host of other things. Yet, you feel an overwhelming sense of guilt. Why?