I am a survivor!
My story is not unique, it’s been told by millions of women – women standing strong – women who have found the strength. Last year I told my story in a post titled Yolo.
It is now the end of a very special month. A month dedicated to Domestic Violence Awareness. I have not written for a very long time. There are many reasons for that. One of those reasons is because I am haunted.
I see her face in a million ways. I see her face with every pregnancy test I sell. I see her face in every scared child I encounter. I see her face always.
At the time I was struggling with the separation from my abusive husband, she was struggling with abuse of a different kind.
I overheard the conversation of the teenage girls that should have triggered a response. She thought she was pregnant but when I asked about what I overheard the story sounded true. My young sixteen year old friend knew she could talk to me about anything. Luckily she was not pregnant.
A week later I learned that her fourteen year old brother ran about ten blocks, face bloodied to his grandparents house. He had been beaten by his step father when he tried to protect his sisters from sexual abuse. At twelve and sixteen they had endured the sexual abuse for the whole six years their mother had been married to the man. Every time their brother tried to protect them. Tried to tell their mother not to go to work.
What would have happened if I pushed this girl to tell me her story that night? As much as I wish I could have helped these children when I had the chance, I know it is not my fault. Yes, I am haunted every day. I am not the only one.
We are all haunted.
Speak out. Raise Awareness – use your stories to help others. They are everywhere. Stand strong and stand united.
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