Written by: Anonymous

When you mention the word "abuse;" many people think of the physical side but there's another very menacing side that is just as equally, if not more, hurtful.

That side is verbal and I faced that side for many years before escaping...

For thirteen years, I was under the control of a monster whose only happiness came from knowing I was suffering.

The cursing and yelling were his first actions and should have been my warning signs but I loved him and thought that it was only temporary, he was just upset and would be okay later after he cooled down.

Unfortunately, that wasn't the case.

As time went along, he became worse and I began to suffer more. The yelling turned to screaming and the cursing was soon followed by physical emphasis.

Most people ask me why I didn't just leave him, again, I loved him. I was also living in the fear of leaving him because he had promised he would come after and kill both me and my family if I ever attempted to leave him.

I was scared and I was trapped all the while he and our relationship got worse.

I never worse bruises on the outside, he was too smart and knew that people would figure out what he was doing to me.The physical things he would do would be his means to intimidate me; the scars he wanted to leave were deeper.

I faced verbal slurs, name calling, put-downs, and much more that affected me both mentally and emotionally.

In public, I was to remain quiet while he done the speaking as he believed I was only to "be seen and not heard." At home, I was to do as he wanted and when he wanted. Listening to the advice of others along with consulting my own research was when and how I finally realized that I was a victim of domestic abuse.

Someone told me to stand up for myself, that he was a coward and his words were his only weapon.

Finally finding my voice, I managed to face him down. However, he refused to listen and only became worse...Before the anniversary of our fourteenth year together, he told me he was leaving. He had found someone else and we were over. I accepted it. It was what he wanted...and what I needed...The memories still haunt me and I still live with the fear of him returning to pay the vengeance he threatened, but I am eternally grateful to God above for giving me escape from a monster who I am certain would have soon destroyed me completely... God Bless!!