Abuse comes in many forms, both physical and verbal. Seeing many documents of abuse to women, much of it being domestic, saddens me. When you dig, you will find something even dirtier, the abuse of young girls. It seems we are prone to be "taken over" and "controlled" because we are female beings. Some of us are lucky, and are born and raised strong. Some are not so lucky, and are raised to be submissive. These women are stripped of their natural instinct to fight back and bare their claws. It takes them years of abuse to find the strength in themselves to fight for their dignity and life. Some never get there.

We as women must stick together and help those who are crying out. Sometimes we must INSIST on helping, even if it is just showing an openness to assist. There are many place to go for refuge, and hopefully some of these stories and features will take some of you precious victims on the right path.

I would like to thank those who answered my call to share their experiences. It is hard to share, because embarrassment often comes before the rage. These brave women have made a change and are surviving, and they are sharing so that they can help you.

BRAVO, and Bless You Goddesses!

Would you ever know? by a brave anonymous

This story came to me after my call for experiences. I must say, I was shocked and sad, because I know this women very well, but never knew the trauma she went through. When she sent this, she mentioned this is just the tip of the ice-berg, and there was much worse to come. She is a Survivor, and her life has taken a much happier path.

Verbal Abuse: The Invisible Weapon by Laura Wilkinson

Abuse is not just a punch, a bruise, physical pain. Often it is mere WORDS. Years of contempt and downgrading of ones soul.

The book that set me FREE! by Laura Wilkinson

The support and experience of others who "have been there and survived" is the straw to hold on to and grasp while you are fighting for your life. 

RESOURCES

These are Sanctuaries for you to find support, or to find help for someone who needs it:

CyberParent:

This site offers a wealth of information. They have tons of links to information on everything from women being abused, men being abused, teenage batterers, abuse of the elderly and lots in between. They also offer some book reviews.

Time2BreakFree email group.

Here is a place where you can let your feelings out. You can vent, cry, curse, or laugh...and not be judged negatively, because we've all been there.

Family Violence Prevention Fund

"The FVPF is a national non-profit organization that focuses on domestic violence education, prevention and public policy reform." This is taken right from the site itself. This is an exceptional site, both for information and for ideas on how you can help.

Intimate/Domestic Violence Resources

This site has a large list of resources and topics for domestic violence. They offer some very good advice. Their main goal is to offer resources and support information to victims of abuse.

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