Catherine shared her story with The RED HEART Campaign’s Why I Stayed project (http://theredheartcampaign.
If you want to join the ongoing Why I Stayed project, please contact The RED HEART Campaign (https://www.facebook.com/
Trigger Warning: sexual abuse and domestic violence.
Growing up I never dreamed about my fairytale wedding, I never hoped for a house with a white picket fence or the husband and 2.5 kids.
My innocence and dreams were lost as a young child. My cycle of abuse started before I was born. I was trapped in my mother’s web of abusive relationships and quickly followed in her footstep.
I grew up thinking and believing my body wasn’t my own and my thoughts and feelings didn’t matter. I was only on this earth to be used and abused.
I was physically, emotionally and sexually abused for years, all the while hiding behind the same mask my mother wore. I had a mental breakdown at 17. I had hit rock bottom.
Drugs and alcohol had been in my life for a while. At 18 I was gang raped, I had to fight with my own thoughts to whether I deserved it or not. I was still in early recovery from my breakdown and had no self worth.
I was a mess and didn’t know where to turn. I ended up running away and joining the travelling show and carnival. That’s where I met him. I had not long turned 19.
Top Comments
Catherine you truly deserve peace and safety. Your story is devastating and so important to hear. Thank you for sharing your most intimate moments. Good on you for accessing support to develop a safe escape.
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Some women stay because the risk to their children is actually higher if they leave. It is often an untold story that women know the man will take it out on the child/ren and FC seem unable to deal with this harrowing issue. I know women who plan to leave once the children are old enough not to be forced to do custody visits. Not all women need to gain the strength/courage to leave, sometimes these women are actually making the safest choice to stay, which sounds remarkable but I have seen it in action.
Last night on ACA (I think) there were police talking about their DV approach how they treat it like other crimes, regularly monitor - put pressure on perps and it seems to have results in making the women safer.
What a brave lady! I wish her all the best in her new life with her children, and hope she finds the happiness and peace she deserves.