I was born and raised in Germany in a patriarchal Turkish household. My parents emigrated there before my birth. At 19, I was arranged married to a relative who mentally and physically...
Domestic Violence / Intimate Partner Violence
SPEAK UP
Trigger warning: Before reading this post, please be aware that it contains references to rape and to childhood sexual molestation. I am a 32 year old woman.Growing up in a low class family...
My Love, Why?
My Love, the one I chose to marry. The one I chose to have a child with, to share my life with. To build a legacy with. You raped me. Why? You told me you loved me, that you wanted to be...
Don’t let your past define your future
My story starts as a young girl at the age of seven coming from a dysfunctional family that fell apart from the beginning. A mother who was mentally unstable with five children and a father...
Wife beating
I ran away from an extremely abusive marriage despite everyone including my own parents advising me to endure the pain and be silent about it because according to our culture women should...
Ray’s Transformation
I am a Survivor of family/relationship trauma. Mother was abused by my father for 15 years and I growing up in a home where violence was prevelant swore I would never be a victim. However...
I’m sorry I did not believe her
I’m sorry, I’m so sorry, that I didn’t believe her. I sat back and I watched her wonderful spark fade. I sat there and I watched as her eyes dulled, her tears evaporated, and her...
Don’t let your horrible past keep you from an...
It all happened a little over a year ago.. that’s when I met him. A smooth, well spoken, motorcycle riding hunk had come into my life and stolen my heart. I had one child and one on the...
From Survivor to Thriving Conqueror
I am the managing director at BTSADV, a dv educator in my community, a growing speaker, an empowerment blogger via holistic health at KayLa’s Positivity Corner, and very recent...
The story of a 14 year old sexual abuse survivor
Trigger warning: Before reading this post, please be aware that it includes references to childhood rape and other forms of sexual and emotional abuse. Hello, my name is L. Just L. My...