If you have ever dealt with violence or if you currently live in fear of violence, I hope you can derive some comfort and strength from my story. I hope you know that you deserve better. You deserve love and respect and safety. You deserve to ask for and receive the help you need, regardless of your age or income or background. Don't wait another day to take the first step towards your own freedom. Please. Act now. My post If You Read Nothing Else I Ever Post, Read This includes links to organizations where you can find help.
Divorce:
The sound of a heart breaking April 5, 2010 - The rawness of it all
Pacing, Waiting May 24, 2010 - Feeling trapped, wanting out
Sinking July 1, 2010
Battle Weary Aug 5, 2010
The Assault:
Things like this don't happen to someone like me Aug 21 - First post about the assault, published on friend's blog (Trigger warning - descriptions of violence)
Fear Aug 30, 2010
The Criminal Investigation:
Silenced Sept 17, 2010 - The pain of having to quell my voice. In response to the search of our home and discovery of husband's criminal activity.
The Undoing Sept 30, 2010 - Speaking in metaphor about above. Emotionally gutted, betrayed.
If you read nothing else I ever post, read this Oct 13, 2010 - Finding the courage to speak out on my own blog about DV.
An Appeal Oct 17, 2010 - The seed is planted for trip to AusBlogCon in Sydney in March, 2011
The Call Oct 29, 2010 - Going to court for a restraining order and learning the extent of my husband's crimes. Rock bottom. Naked, soulful, emotional post.
Broken and Whole Nov 25, 2010 - Poem written for White Ribbon Day, which ended up being a magical day. "I stopped to drink a cup of solace and then they filled my cup again from within the broken places in themselves."
Well, hello Sydney! Nov 27, 2010 - My dream of coming to Sydney becomes a reality.
To have a voice Jan 4, 2011 - Violence, repression and Afghan women
I am your friend Jan 10, 2011 - A friend and fellow blogger experiences her own dark night. For Lori.
Mile upon mile Jan 17, 2011 - Running from violence
Broken Feb 10, 2011 - Breakdown
Shattered Feb 17, 2011 - PTSD
OMG OMG OMG I'm here!! Mar 13, 2011 - Finally, I arrive in Sydney. I can exhale.
Falling through the cracks of the system Mar 28, 2011 - Why I'm afraid to go home and how the system has failed us. Naming my husband's crime for the first time. (Trigger warning - graphic descriptions)
Honesty April 7, 2011 - On sharing our complicated histories. When, and with whom.
My thoughts on prison April 13, 2011 - My husband is headed to prison and this is what I think about it. On choices and accountability.
Blood Red Life April 19, 2011 - Originally written over a year ago and never published, a post that shows me busting at the seams of a constricting marriage, longing for a richer, deeper experience of life. I love this post.
There's too many of us - April 22, 2011 - An interview with Broowaha online, and why I speak publicly about my experiences.
The dead woman - April 26, 2011 - There was a painting of a dead woman that hung above our bed.
The scream - April 28, 2011 - Release and purification.
Fragility - May 9, 2011 - Making peace with where you're at.
Soul Mates - May 14, 2011 - Kindred spirits I have met along the way.
A different kind of prison - June 2, 2011 - For all the victims of crime, who never have a release date.
Life, one year on - August 19, 2011 - Learning to embrace limbo.
Speak Out - Nov 17, 2011 - A social media campaign to drive awareness of DV. Includes links survivor's stories.
Breathing Poison - December 6, 2011 - Testifying in court.
