I am not writing this out of vindictiveness -- though I know people will think that, especially other women. This is one of the reasons many (most) women who live with emotional and/or physical abuse remain silent. We know that if we speak up and defend ourselves, we are seen as a bitch. If we remain remain silent, those who notice the abuse look down on us for 'taking it'. Either way, an abused woman is alone with her pain; eventually, she runs out of strength, runs out of self-esteem ... the very people she should be able to turn to are the ones she protects her husband from.

I know that 'going public' with my story will bring on scorn and disgust. "She should keep this to herself" they'll say. "Why air this in public?" -- "It's over, she should just move on now" -- because for the most part, people, especially other women, need to feel that it's 'her fault' ... 'she brought it on herself' .. 'It has nothing to do with me, and I think he's a nice guy!' ....

But, I am going to tell it anyway. Think what you want to think, I am no longer going to remain silent, because that silence has eroded my soul, sapped my strength and I need to find myself again.