The Secret to Overcoming Domestic Violence: A Survivor’s Perspective

Domestic violence is a quiet crisis. It is estimated that one in every three women will experience some form of domestic violence in their lifetime. As a survivor of domestic violence, I understand the effects this has on an individual. If you have been the victim of domestic violence, reading this article might feel like a trigger. You may be wondering how anyone could be so cruel to another person. However, after reading this article, you might feel confident again and know that you are not alone in your struggle. The road out of domestic violence is difficult, but with help from friends, family members, counselors and faith leaders; it’s not impossible. Here are five powerful pieces of advice to help overcome the fear and isolation that comes with being trapped in an abusive relationship

Trust yourself

You might feel like you are going crazy when you are in an abusive relationship. Your abuser might make you feel like you have lost touch with reality. However, this is not the case. You know what you have experienced, and you know what is best for you. One of the most important steps you can take when escaping an abusive relationship is to believe that you can do it. You might be feeling confused and scared but remember, you are not alone in this journey. You do not have to walk this road on your own. You have the strength inside of you to end the abuse and start a new life for yourself. You just need to trust yourself enough to know that you are strong enough to do it.

Educate yourself

As you are trying to come to terms with the abuse, it is important to educate yourself about domestic violence. There is a lot of information available on the topic, and it can help you to understand why and how you have been abused. Learning about domestic violence can help you to realize that what is happening to you is not your fault. Reading up on domestic violence can help you to come up with a strategy to end the abuse. It can also help you to recognize the signs that someone else is being abused and guide them toward the resources that they need to get help.

Find support from friends and family

Abuse goes hand in hand with isolation. Your abuser might try to cut you off from people that love you so that you feel trapped. They might do this because they want to make you feel like you have nowhere to go. They might also be doing this to keep you from receiving help. As a survivor, you might be afraid to reach out to people that you love because you do not want to burden them with your problems. You might think that you are doing them a disservice by bringing your problems to them. However, your support network loves you and want to help you.

Take care of your physical and mental health

Domestic violence is a dangerous combination of mental and physical abuse. Your abuser might try to control every aspect of your life. This can come in the form of controlling the finances, food, clothing, and even what you do during your free time. Abusers will try to manipulate you into thinking that they are doing these things because they care about you. This is not the case. Your abuser is doing these things because they are trying to control you. One of the most important steps that you can take to break out of an abusive relationship is to take care of your mental and physical health.

Develop a plan to leave the relationship

The hardest part of escaping an abusive relationship is leaving. You might be so used to life with your abuser that you don’t know how to break away. You might feel afraid that your abuser will become more violent or that they will try to find you after the relationship ends. You might be afraid of leaving your kids with someone who is abusive to them. You might be worried about how you will survive after the relationship ends. All of these things are normal. They are things that many survivors of violence face. However, there is a way to overcome these fears and leave the relationship behind. The first step is to find a safe place to go. You can do this by reaching out to your support network and asking them if they can help you get in contact with a local domestic violence organization.

The road to overcoming domestic violence is a difficult one. However, it is not one that has to be walked alone. With the support of your loved ones, you can overcome the fear, isolation, and abuse that comes with living in a domestic violence relationship. You deserve to live a life free of abuse and violence. Nobody deserves to be abused. Nobody deserves to live in fear. You can get out of the relationship and start a new life where you feel empowered and safe.