Sunday, April 26, 2009

Stopping The Violence Against Women

It's been almost One year that I participated in Bloggers Unite for Human rights. I was very proud to participate in this worth while cause. This cause became so popular that it actually made CNN and to think that I was a part of it all. It just puts a big proud smile on my face. I shared my very personal story in the hopes that it might help someone out there that needed to hear what I went through as a young women. So, today I'm going to share my story again with the same hopes. Located below is my original post from last May of 2008. Enjoy!


On May 15th Bloggers Unite For Human Rights. Blog catalog has joined together with Amnesty International, a worldwide movement that campaigns for internationally recognized human rights. I've decided to join this campaign and help stop the violence against women.

At least one out of every three women has been beaten, coerced into sex, or abused in some other type of manner in her life time. In the Untied States, a woman is raped every 6 minutes, battered every 15 seconds. These statistics are alarming.

In Europe domestic violence is the major cause of death and disability for women between the ages of 16 to 44.

Trafficking of women has become a global phenomenon where victims are sexually exploited, forced into labor and subjected to abuse.

We as people and humans need to stop the violence against women. It is a basic human right that women should be able to live in this world violence free. I want to thank Amnesty International for all the statistics.

I've decided to blog about violence against women because I'm one of those women that has survived. I decided to share my story in the hopes that it may reach someone out there who really needs help and I hope they seek the help they deserve. I don't really talk about it and I'm ashamed to say that I was physically and verbal abused as a teenager by my very first boyfriend. I was only 15 years old when I met this man. He was 17 years old at the time. I was a very naive 15 year old. I had no idea that physical abuse existed. There was no type of violence in my family. How could I have known? I never witnessed this type of abuse. I stayed with this man until I was 19 years old and just couldn't take it anymore. I endured 4 years of this terrible abuse. I was subject to many injuries. Such as black eyes, broken nose and many many bruises and bumps. There were many times I would ask my self "Did I do something to provoke his anger?" The answer to that is NO. No matter how angry a person gets there is no reason to be abusive in any shape or form to another living creature. My mother tried several times to get me to break up with this man but of course what teenager is going to listen to a parent. I was very scared of this man and afraid he would do something awful to me if I broke up. One day my mom told me a story of a friend of hers that was in an abusive marriage and was pregnant. The women never did leave her husband to improve her life. But she did leave. Her husband beat her in the head with a rock until she died. I guess that was her way out. My mother explained to me that this type of thing will eventually happen to me one day if I don't get out. That was 20 years ago and I can still hear my mothers words. This story never left my soul and it forever changed my life. So, at 19 I did get out. I left this terrible man and was stalked until I was 24 years old. He finally left me alone after I got married in 1994. It was an extremely bad part of my life that I never want to relive. I look back at those years and I almost don't recognize who I was back then. Remembering is like watching a movie. A horror movie! I learned several years later that he got married to a woman who had a 5 year old daughter. He beat his wife and broke her jaw. He then beat up this woman's 5 year old little girl over $5.00. The last I heard he was in jail for this crime. All I could think was that this could of been me. I'm telling my story so that other women out there who are in an abusive relationship know there is help out there and there is a way out. Please don't subject your self or your children to this type of abuse. You can make your life better. You just need to take advantage of the resources out there that are available to you. I got out. So can you. This will never happen to me again. I will never ever take that type of abuse or any type of abuse again.

Today I'm married to a great guy and we have a 3 year old little girl. He is a fantastic husband and wonderful daddy.

Well that's my story. I know it's a sad topic but I hope it reaches someone out there that needs to hear it and I hope they seek help.








Thanks for taking the time to stop by for a visit.

Hugs

13 comments:

  1. Incredible story, you are a very brave person to tell it, and thank God you got out. Hopefully you reached out to someone and changed her life.

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  2. I am with you on these advocacy. Women deserve to be respected and given the chance to have a place in society.

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  3. dats a really touching story nd i truly sympathise for wat happend wid u ...i completely agree wid u dat living in an abusive relationship is like gradually approachng 2 the end of ur life. also, as u hve rightly mentiond dat women think dat they must have done smthg wrng to provoke their partner to physically abuse dem , which is abslutely wrng!!!!!!dere is absolutely no reason in d world for which a man should raise his hand on a woman.
    now d follng poem will say everythg dat i want 2 ...

    I got flowers today.
    It wasn’t my birthday or any other special day.
    We had our first argument last night, and he said a lot of cruel things that really hurt me.
    I know he is sorry and didn’t mean the things he said,
    Because he sent me flowers today.
    I got flowers today.
    It wasn’t our anniversary or any other special day.
    Last night, he threw me into a wall and started to choke me.
    It seemed like a nightmare. I couldn’t believe it was real. I woke up this morning sore and bruised all over.
    I know he must be sorry, because he sent me flowers today.
    I got flowers today, and it wasn’t Mother’s Day or any other special day.
    Last night, he beat me up again. It was much worse than all the other times.
    If I leave him, what will I do? How will I take care of my kids?
    What about money? I’m afraid of him and scared to leave.
    But I know he must be sorry, because he sent me flowers today.
    I got flowers today.
    Today was a very special day. It was valentines day .It was the day of my funeral.
    Last night, he finally killed me. He beat me to death.
    If only I had gathered enough courage and strength to leave him,
    I would not have gotten flowers today.

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  4. I have read your story and I feel that there are so many similarities with my story. I was abused physically and emotionally by my parents, although I have forgiven them now the scars are
    My story information can be found on http://www.strategicbookpublishing.com/WhatALife.html

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  5. Thank you for sharing your personal story. I truly hope that your story can go on to inspire other women who are going through similar situation to courageously get out. Your example can bring hope to them that once they get out, they can eventually be happy like you. You were fortunate that your mother had never let go of your hand and had helped you to get out of your situation. Many may not be as fortunate. Hopefully through your story, they can find strength in getting out.

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  6. Thank you for this amazing post. You are so brave to share this story and I hope you were able to help someone by giving them the courage necessary to leave an abusive relationship.

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  7. I hope your story helps at least one person!

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  8. Thank you for sharing your story. It surprises me you didn't come from violence but you put up with it. As a parent I think you've save me from what might have ended up as a big mistake.

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  9. As a man I must apologize for these animals that call themselves men. I have never ever hit a woman. I have had a few hit me. My wife was abused by her first husband. These so called men are very manipulative and also like to instill fear into their victims. On the 15th I will join in on the bloggers unite for human rights.
    Glad things are better for you.

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  10. I'm greatly moved by your story. Good thing, you have now a fantastic life. It's so brave of you to get out and let yourself be free from this kind of man. It's admirable that you joined for that cause. keep up.=)

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  11. Wow I couldn't imagine what you went through all those years. I'm so glad that you finally listened to your mother and got out of the relationship. Thank you for sharing your touching story.

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  12. I was also an abused wife, that was 17 years ago and I do thank God everyday he didn't kill me, he came close that's for sure. I got out alive and I am married to a wonderful man too, 13 years now. God bless Michele.

    Jodi

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  13. I've always wondered what makes people stay in a relationship like that - we'll never know. I have an award for you

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