Domestic violence is becoming a silent killer in our communities across the country. Many victims are left physically and emotionally devastated, not to mention financially and socially distressed. Do you know someone who has either been victimized or the perpetrator of domestic violence? What did you do to intervene, stop, or prevent the abuse? The laws governing these cases are weak and often times the victims of such crimes are victimized all over again by the so-called system that is supposed to be designed to help them. I was a victim of domestic violence. I was brutally beaten over a 12-hour period of time. My life and the lives of my children were threatened. I was left penniless, with no home, no vehicle . . . nothing. The person who beat me has not been caught. He stole my truck and it hasn't been seen since the incident approximately 6 months ago. I am required to go to court every 3-4 months. Even though my children (ages 11 and 12) still live with me, I don't have "custody" of them. One of them was basically kidnapped the day before I was beaten. When my child was brought home, the police were advised of where exactly the criminal could be found. They refused to go after him and arrest him. When the suspect returned home, he was obviously high on drugs and deranged. I am getting my life together as best I can. I have started my own business and am looking forward to going back to school. I encourage others that even in the worst of situations, God is still in control.
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All my life I have had to live with physical and emotional abuse from my dad. My mom takes it almost every day, just like I do. Back when I was in 9th grade, (I am a senior now) it got so bad, that my mother tried to commit suicide. We are both clinically depressed because of everything, and yet we are stuck. We can not leave, because he is in control of the money, our food, our lives. There is no way out for us.. So I have to deal with it until I can move out.. Which is in a few months. I still have the issue of not having money to afford a place to stay, because I am not allowed to get a job. It is not something I enjoy, that is for sure. Every day I wonder why I am alive taking this.. And I know it is because I am destined to make my life better and get out of what I was brought in to. And that is what I want. So, even though I am in not good situations, I still try and be optimistic about the future as much as I can, because that's all I have to look forward to. Sorry.. This was a long comment.. Hahaha.