What is domestic violence? You would think there would be no need for such a question, that the answer would be obvious. Those subjected to long-term domestic violence have such low self-esteem they don’t trust their own judgment. They need someone else to tell them what most of us can clearly see. And that is the problem, the fact that those being abused deny it in the beginning and to the point of not even recognizing themselves that they are being abused. That is what gives the abuser his/her power…the willingness of the victim to stay instead of leave at the first sign of abuse. It is my belief that people who are abused allow themselves to be abused and the only way to break free from an abuser is to take responsibility for staying when they should have left. If people didn’t put up with domestic violence, there would be no domestic violence. My first marriage lasted nine months. It ended the day he punched me in the face. I had no car, no money but I did have someone willing to drive ten hours, pick me up and get me to safety. I left that marriage with the clothes on my back and what I could get in a suitcase. When I left I was running toward nothing. But that nothing looked better than what I would have had to accept from my husband and about myself if I had chosen to stay. If you are in an abusive relationship you have a choice. You can: Point out to your spouse when you feel he/she is being abusive. Set firm boundaries about how you will be treated and stand your ground. Leave if your spouse is not willing to admit to a problem and seek help.
Posted on: Fri, 09 Aug 2013 22:07:44 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015