Epidemic of Domestic Violence

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      This a topic most people cringe at, look past, or ignore. Just the sound of domestic violence should make our ears tune in, instead of out. This is and has been an epidemic that effects our children, and loved ones. It is not just women abused by men; men are abused by women also. Although generally statistics will use the word woman because it is much more likely that a woman is the victim. I understand this is not always the case. I am a survivor of domestic violence, which lasted over a period of several years. You maybe asking why I didn’t “just leave”? I will tell some of the many reasons. First of all I was very isolated, I really had no friends in which I could just take my kids and go stay with. I was very ashamed, embarrassed, and blamed myself a lot. I was convinced if I just acted better or tried to be perfect things might change. Be the good little stay at home mom, dinner ready, clean house, and take care of the kids. After all its my job right? I had no control over any money. After 5 years of staying at home, I went back to work- still no money I could not even hide the money. My abuser would tear the house up looking for it, or just steal it out of my purse. This could turn into a terrible fight, he always needed his alcohol. I also stayed wanting my kids to have their father. He was good to them, spoiled them. But he always undermined everything I said. I stayed for several different reasons over the years. To get to the point 1 out of every 4 women in the U.S. has been physically assaulted or raped by an intimate partner. That means most of know 4 women-1 is or has been assaulted. We’ve all heard the warning signs like isolating, controlling, jealousy, etc. One thing that society has to do is hold the abuser accountable. It was not because of alcohol, drugs, a bad day, loss of temper, it was because he made the choice to use violence to control and abuse. Use violence to maintain that power and control. I did leave, and now a mission to help others. Raising awareness and giving hope. I had to face very hard choices when I left, staying at a shelter, and having my kids angry with me. It will take a very long time to repair the damage its done emotionally to my children. They did hear and witness us fight, I tried to not let this happen.