You know her. She is your sister-in-law, your aunt, your childhood friend, your hairdresser, the woman you always run into at the grocery store, the mother of your child’s friend.
Perhaps it may have crossed your mind but you just did not want to think about it. Perhaps she even hinted to you. Perhaps it was just a feeling in the pit of your stomach.
She is suffering at the hands of someone who says he loves her. He tells her that he will stop. He tells her that he is sorry. Then he tells her that she is nobody without him. He tells her that if she reveals to anyone what is going on inside those four walls that she will suffer an even worse consequence. He tells her that she and her children belong to him.
And she believes it. Where is she going to go, anyway? Who will take her in? She has no money of her own. It is just her and her children. She covers up the emotional and physical bruises and just goes on. Besides, he will find her and hurt her worse if she tries to leave. Won’t he?
You know her. You may not realize it, but you know her. You may not think you cannot help her, but you can do just that.
I had no idea just how many of her I know until I learned about www.BraveWoman.org and their mission to movement to support women facing domestic violence situations. These women, our friends, relatives and acquaintances are not victims. They are courageous, they are strong and they are brave.
This year, “I pledge to honor and respect brave women and children who tackle the difficult journey of change from domestic violence to a new life…. I will remain aware of what is happening to others around me, and speak up against violence in any form. I will stand up for human dignity and safety for women and children.”
I have taken the pledge to help all Brave Women. Have you? Take the pledge at www.BraveWoman.org/take-the-pledge/
Join us for a Twitter party on Tuesday, January 17th from 8:00-9:00 pm EST to support all brave women, using the hashtag #BraveWoman.
Think about it. Who do you know?
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I am proud to be working with BraveWoman.org. This post has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for CollectiveBias. All thoughts and opinions are purely my own. #CBias #BraveWoman
I have a neighbor who suffered abuse for years at the hands of her husband. Then as the kid got older he started abusing them verbally. It was terrible to sit by and watch as she took it but I supported her as best as I could keeping my own safety in mind.
I secretly gave her a key to my house so she could come, have a safe place to run when she was ready but she never did. He continued to sabotage her relationships, isolate her, accuse her of infidelity, embarrass her in public.
He was a really great manipulator. But eventually people in our social circle started to see through his games and more people gave her support and although she never did leave him, she finally had him removed from the home and filed from divorce. It took ten years. I was so darn proud of her that day. She’s one brave woman.
Good for you for trying to help your friend and good for her for finally getting him out of her life.
what a wonderful idea and you are the perfect person to represent the cause –
I volunteered a bit at the local women’s shelter and it is such a pull on my heart.
Rachel
Thanks, Rachel. I am sure that volunteering was both incredibly sad and incredibly rewarding.
You are so right. It is sad to know that women who are currently being abused are living among us, keeping silent and afraid. Thank you for such a poignant reminder.
Thanks for your comment. I truly did not realize how common this is until recently. There are too many women who have to be brave.
It’s true, we all know someone or many someones and it is time to take a stand!
Thanks, Melissa. It really is time to take a stand.
Thank you for sharing, Jessica. I’ve known far too many women like “her.” I’ve taken the pledge to make a change!
I think we can really make a difference. Thanks, Chelsea!
I think people would be surprised by how many women they know who are or have been in an abusive relationship. The more people to take the pledge to bring it to an end, the better.
You’re right, Amy. Let’s hope we can bring this issue out in the open so we can put an end to it.
Jessica,
Thank you for a fantastic post. I hope more people take the pledge and do some volunteering.
My soon to be 15 year old daughter regularly volunteers at the local women’s shelter. She babysits and reads to the children there. It really has given her perspective on domestic violence.
Kudos.
b.
Thanks for putting this out there Jessica! You’ve summarized SO many stories of SO many women (way too many women) and I applaud all of your efforts and of course, I took the pledge!
Thank YOU, my brave friend.
I’m hoping to do more on a local level in my community. It was easy to find out about the local crisis center here and to see what their needs were. I took the pledge and now it’s time to keep it!
Great job, Amy!
It’s shocking when you actually see it written 1 in 4!
Thanks for the great post, it will allow many, many women to find the place, strength to turn.
I hope so! Thanks, Chacoy.
This is my first time to your blog. Amazing post!
Many years ago, I flew out to CA to secretly help my closest childhood friend move out of her ocean view Malibu mansion to a teeny tiny apartment. I thought she had it all! We cleared out her things, took necessary furniture and rearranged everything so he wouldn’t be able to tell right away. As her mother served him papers, we were setting up her new home several miles away. He had no clue. The only thing he asked her mom was, “Where is my Bronco (car)?”. As we slept on the floor of her apartment that night, I had never been so scared in my life.
It has affected me forever. Thank you for keeping this in the forefront!
Thank, you Gina. Wow, what an experience that must have been for you. You are a good friend to see her through that experience. I hope that she is doing well today and proud of her bravery.