Showing posts with label boyfriend. Show all posts
Showing posts with label boyfriend. Show all posts

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Homeless Not Hopeless

In Honor Of National Homeless Awareness Month

With such trying times in the US, the crashing economy, and bullying & abuse at every avenue--there are probably more homeless people than many of us know.

I've been homeless at various times. Once by choice, as a teen when I ran away with an older boyfriend. For two years we hitchhiked all over the US with nothing but the clothes on our backs. I was starving, frozen, beaten, raped, kidnapped, and nearly killed. The only thing that saved me every time, was prayer and faith in God to set me free.

Later in life I was married to an abusive man who turned his porn addiction onto our three children. I was forced to leave my home, with just a suitcase and three small children. For over a month we stayed at a "safe house shelter" for victims of abuse.

Staying at shelters isn't easy. I totally agree. But it's better than putting you or yourself in harms way. It's totally better than being homeless. It's a roof over your head, a meal in your stomach, and a chance to sort things out while you decide what is best for you/ and or your children.

After two terribly abusive marriages, I got my life back together. I suffered years of panic attacks and fears, but have managed to become an award-winning author and speaker.

If I can do it, you can too. Today, I'm an abuse survivor. You don't have to be a victim, you can survive too. If you need help or to get out of an abusive situation, please get help. You can either log onto my website http://www.abusebites.com/ or call 1-800-799-SAFE.

Most Shelters Provide:

-A SAFE PLACE TO STAY
-Beds for you & your child
-Dresser for your clothes
-Food
-Clothes
-Baby Needs
-Hygiene Products
-Support & Counseling
-Assistance With Child Care

*So don't hesitate. If you're in an abusive situation GET OUT BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE!

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Is Sorry Really The Hardest Word?

There was a song when I was growing up titled, "Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word". And I guess some people do find it hard to say they're sorry. But in a domestic violent situation, victims are always apologized to and promised that things will get better.

That's the abuse cycle. Sadly hundreds of thousands of girls, women, and even men, fall prey to this vicious cycle every year. Some abuse victims may be fortunate enough to escape if they get out early, others may have stayed a little longer and faced more pain and heartache, but my heart really cries to speak out for those who never had a chance to escape--the martyrs of domestic abuse--these are the ones have given their lives for the rest of us to learn a harsh lesson--GET OUT BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE!

I lived with a man who nearly killed me. Thankfully I was able to escape from that relationship before it was too late. But I know someone who waited a bit too long to get out of an abusive relationship. Her name is Susan Crim. Susan's truly my hero! So in honor of Domestic Abuse Violence Awareness Month, I wrote a story about her on my website: (Read Her Story click on the "what's new" link.)

Don't wait until this happens to you--Get Out Before It's Too Late!

What you can do if you're in an abusive relationship:

-Report The Abuse
-Get Help & Make A Safety Action Plan Of Escape
-Contact a friend or family member
-Call 1-800-GET SAFE
-Don't return to the abusive situation once you get away
-Don't fall into the repetitive cycle of them saying their sorry
-Take care of yourself and change your lifestyle so you won't be a magnet for abusers in the future--counseling will help
-Forgiving your abuser is a must (holding unforgiveness only makes the victim feel worse), but that does not mean taking them back or putting up with more abuse!