Dr. Phil has me in tears today. Sure it's not too hard to make me cry but it definitely hit close to home today. Those young girls are telling my story. I was a mere 17 years old when I got involved in a domestic violence situation. I know I've briefly mentioned it here or there on my blog but it's really not something I talk about. I'm embarrassed by it. There is such a stigma around domestic violence.
Yet keeping silent about it is what makes the stigma remain. So people need to talk about it. Survivors need not feel embarrassed about it- why should anyone be embarrassed about being a victim? It's the abuser that should be embarrassed, not the victim.
Of course it makes sense that women like me have a hard time not feeling like it's your fault. You've spent years being told it is your fault- it's not just physical abuse that happens, it's this incredible mind-game that's played so you do think it's your fault, and if you just didn't do that, or if you did something better it would be okay.
Everyone should visit Dr. Phil's site on Breaking the Silence to inform yourself and to help inform others.
3 comments:
Good for you for speaking out. Have you seen the Violence UnSilenced blog? It's a very meaningful project. http://violenceunsilenced.com/
Don't be embarassed. I think you are incredibly brave.
Don't be embarassed. I think you are incredibly brave.
Post a Comment