Our Story
I know this is a site for men, but I thought it would help if you heard a story from a woman who had lived through domestic violence. I am a child of a survivior. From the age of 9 until the age of 45ish, my mother was abused in every sense of the word. She was molested, date raped, mentally, emotionally and physically abuse by step-fathers, boyfriends and ex husbands.
I lived through some of it with her. My youngest brother and I were victims of child abuse as well. As a child of a survivior, it is very difficult sometimes. You have to watch your mother go through the assults, name calling, guilt, hurt, pain and that is just part of it. My mother suffers from PTSD. Alot of people think you suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder only if you have been in a war or something, but it does affect women of abuse. If she watches certain shows, reads certain books or if we, her family, say or do something without her being aware, she can have flashbacks and react to everything and everyone around her. Since I am the oldest of her children, I have learned to deal with her. I know her triggers and try to help the best I can.
The reason I am telling you this is so you know that domestic violence isn’t something that only affects the abused and the abuser. It also affects the family and friends around you. I am 35 now with my own family, and to this day, the violence that my mother has endured and that of which I have been witness to myself, has had a profound impact on my life and always will.
Even when the violence stops and you get out of the situation, it still affects you no matter what.
Thanks for reading my story, I hope it helps someone.
Tagged domestic violence
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CLJJune 19, 2009 at 4:26 pm
Thank you for sharing your story with us.
Karen BuneJune 23, 2009 at 6:24 pm
Kathleen, I would like to talk to you about a possible article if you are interested. Contact me through facebook wall if you are interested.
Kritika from BreakthroughJune 24, 2009 at 5:06 pm
The author of this article is our friend and supporter Kathleen Ford. We connected on Twitter, and Kathleen’s voice joins ours strongly in ringing the bell against Domestic Violence. Kathleen – thankyou for sharing your inspirational story of hope. It’s given us a perspective that we hadn’t seen before – through the eyes of a survivor’s child. Your story will help many of us in coming out of similar situations. Thanks once again. And folks, if you’re on twitter – please follow Kathleen at @Kat0074
ADV. NEEELIMA KANETKARJune 26, 2009 at 1:14 pm
U MAY READ AN IMPORTANT BOOK “WOMEN WHO LOVE TOO MUCH” BY ROBEEN NOORWOOD. YOU MAY FIND YOUR ANSWERS THERE FOR YOUR MOTHER AND YOU AS WELL.
Deepak SethiJune 29, 2009 at 5:30 pm
kathleen , thank you for sharing your life with us.
KathleenJuly 3, 2009 at 2:04 pm
Thank you all for your comments. I hope it helps someone out there.