I don't think people really realize how hard it is for people in abusive relationships to be honest about it
I was in an extremely abusive relationship years ago, with a guy who would push me, slap me, hit me on the legs with his fist (nowhere that would leave visible bruises), he controlled what I wore and who I hung out with, and would openly insult me and compare me to beautiful women we would see when we were in public. He even flirted with/made passes at my female friends right in front of me.
It was damaging. It was scary. It made everything in my life feel unstable and unsteady. I felt like I couldn't talk about it, or I'd be overwhelmed with "wELL wHy dOnT yOu lEaVe hIm?!"
It's not like I didn't TRY. I broke up with him 6 times before he finally stopped showing up at my door, or my work, or was waiting for me on my porch when I'd come home late. He was bigger than me, I was scared of him. Also, there is a level of embarrassment too, I felt stupid for not seeing what he was in the beginning.
And where was I supposed to GO if I just ran away? I had no family in the area and none of my friends at that time had their own places.
It's not easy to open up about abuse.
It was damaging. It was scary. It made everything in my life feel unstable and unsteady. I felt like I couldn't talk about it, or I'd be overwhelmed with "wELL wHy dOnT yOu lEaVe hIm?!"
It's not like I didn't TRY. I broke up with him 6 times before he finally stopped showing up at my door, or my work, or was waiting for me on my porch when I'd come home late. He was bigger than me, I was scared of him. Also, there is a level of embarrassment too, I felt stupid for not seeing what he was in the beginning.
And where was I supposed to GO if I just ran away? I had no family in the area and none of my friends at that time had their own places.
It's not easy to open up about abuse.
41-45, F
