Breaking the Silence

My post content

Domestic abuse is one of those things that you think happens to other people—until it’s your reality. It doesn’t always look like it does in movies. Sometimes it’s not a raised hand but a raised voice, a slam of a door, or the quiet way someone makes you feel like you’re less than nothing.

It creeps in slowly. A sharp word here, a cold shoulder there. Then one day, you realize you’re walking on eggshells, your world shrinking around you. You’re afraid to speak, afraid to breathe wrong, afraid to be noticed—and just as afraid not to be.

What Domestic Abuse Feels Like

It’s not always bruises or broken bones. Often, it’s the words that cut the deepest.
“You’ll never be good enough.”
“No one else would put up with you.”
“You’re the reason this is happening.”

Those words stay. They settle into your skin, your heart, your mind, until you start to believe them. And when you believe them, leaving feels impossible.

For some, it’s financial control—being told there’s no money to spare, or being made to feel guilty for every cent spent. For others, it’s isolation—being cut off from friends, family, or anyone who might help.

But the worst part? The silence. The way you can scream on the inside and still feel unheard.

Why It’s Hard to Leave

“Why don’t they just leave?” It’s the question people always ask. And it’s so much more complicated than that.

You might stay because you love them and hope they’ll change. Because leaving feels like jumping into an abyss with no safety net. Because the world tells you family is everything, even when family hurts you.

You might stay because you’re scared. Of what they’ll do if you leave. Of where you’ll go. Of what people will say.

Leaving isn’t easy. But staying isn’t living.

Healing: What Comes After

Walking away is just the first step. Healing is messy and slow. Some days you feel strong; others, it’s all you can do to get out of bed.

The memories don’t just vanish. A loud noise might send your heart racing. A familiar scent can drag you back to places you’d rather forget. Healing isn’t a straight line—it’s a rollercoaster with dips and curves you never see coming.

But it’s worth it. Slowly, you learn to trust yourself again. To believe you deserve love that doesn’t hurt.

You’re Not Alone

If you’re reading this and it feels familiar—if you feel trapped, scared, or silenced—you’re not alone. There’s help out there, and people who want to listen, believe you, and help you break free.

It’s not your fault. You’re not weak. You’re not the problem.

You deserve to live a life without fear. You deserve to take up space, to laugh, to breathe freely. You deserve more than just surviving—you deserve joy.

When I look back, I wish I’d spoken up sooner, trusted myself more, let someone help me carry the weight. So, let me tell you this: your story matters. Your voice matters. And when you’re ready to break the silence, the world is here to hold you.

If you need help, reach out. There are people and organizations ready to stand with you. You don’t have to do this alone.