I just joined this group. I'm hoping that I can find support and understanding of abuse since I find myself continuously being affected by abusive situations. I am finally coming to grips with the fact that I was emotionally abused growing up and eventually I married a very abusive person. It took me 16 years to get up the courage to leave that marriage. I left him 8 years ago and I still am so damaged by all that happened. After I got a divorce I returned to my home town and I am around my mother-who is still very, very critical and negative towards me. I feel hopeless and depressed a great deal of the time and I'm so tired of that feeling. I'm hoping this support group will help me and perhaps I'll be able to help others out too.
I lost a friend that was abused. What made it crazy, she had three brothers, who were on the wild side. When her boyfriend would beat her, the brothers would hunt him down and beat the hell of him. A few times they beat him so bad he had to be hospitalized. We use to wonder, was he suicidal or just stupid. I remember before I left for the Navy, I hugged her and I said when I come out, I want to give you a big hug. I told her that two things are going to happen if she didn't leave him, that her brothers would eventually kill the him or that he is going to kill you. Sad to say when I got out, I heard she left the guy but he shot her in the back. I was devastated. She was such a sweet girl and she was the type of person that always found life beautiful. What matters with your case, that you are survivor and that is fact. You shouldn't feel hopeless that you have been to hell and back and live to tell your story and maybe you can help someone gain the strength to get out of the same situation.
Thanks Adrian... I think this support group will help me sort out some of the things that did happen to me. I'm so sorry to hear about your friend. Thank you for your supportive message. I'm sure she knows that you are trying to help others.