Lisa's Story: How I Helped Myself and My Children
My husband had been hurting me for a long time. He called me names in front of our two children. He yelled at me a lot.
On bad days he hit me, sometimes very hard. He was always very sorry and nice afterward. I kept hoping he would change. But he never stopped hitting me. I was so ashamed that I did not want to tell anyone.
The hitting got worse. I had to go to the hospital a few times. My oldest child became depressed. And my youngest started having nightmares and being bad at school. I knew my husband would not stop. If I stayed, I knew he would probably kill me.
I decided to get help
From a pay phone, I called a domestic abuse hotline. A woman listened to me talk about what was happening at home. She gave me the name of a nearby shelter that I could go to with my children. She also gave me a list of things to get together before I left.
We left when my husband wasn't home. I was so scared! But we got to the shelter safely. The people at the shelter talked with me about my legal rights. They also helped me take steps to get out on my own.
Leaving our home was hard. But it is better than seeing my children suffer. I am glad that I have started a better life for myself and my children.
Need Help?
Abuse is against the law. If you or someone you know is being abused, here's how to get help:
- Call 911 if you are in danger.
- Talk to someone you trust, like your minister or doctor. Ask that person to help you find a counselor.
- Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline® at 1-800-799-SAFE (1-800-799-7233) or TTY 1-800-787-3224. The hotline can tell you places to go where no one can find you, and it can help you make a plan to stay safe.
- Click onto any of these sites for more information:
- www.endabuse.org
- www.ndvh.org
- Keystone Mercy
Publication Source:
Medicaid/Spring 1998
Author:
Nelson, Christine
Online Source:
American Psychiatric Associationhttp://healthyminds.org/factsheets/LTF-DomesticViolence.pdf
© 2000-2012 Krames StayWell, 780 Township Line Road, Yardley, PA 19067. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.