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I'm here to tell you there is and will always be inner strength within yourself to find that way out. I am writing about abusive relationships. I was in an abusive relationship with a boy for almost 6 years.

Everything in the beginning was just the way everybody expects. In the years that followed it became gradually incorrect. We were young, we partied, we used drugs, and things just got out of hand. I was a prisoner in my own home, the home I shared with him. I was not allowed to talk with friends, I couldn't go to the store. I was yelled at, always put down, and basically I was a slave for him. I really didn't think I had any courage in me, to leave him, because he always threatened he would kill me. He had out-of-state buddies, that would watch over me, and report everything I tried to do. It took me almost three years to say that was enough.

I did not deserve to be treated in that fashion, I knew in myself I was better than that, and wanted a good life for myself. So I did it. I confronted him, and said that was it, the relationship was done.

At first he accused me of cheating, and then came everything. I had to find support from the local police dept, advocates, friends, family. I was no longer going to take the emotional abuse anymore. As I said, he threatened to kill me. He'd stalk me, and knew every move that I made. The police were involved everyday. Protection from abuse orders were given and I was a regular 911 caller for help. I was deathly afraid every moment of every second. I saw police everyday. I had escorts take me to and from work.

One thing I never believed was that we all have the strength overcome what we think of as the impossible. At the end of this horrific event, I had had him arrested over 16 times, for breaking protection of abusive orders, theft, assault, and I could go on, but that is really not important.

What is important is I had found the courage, dignity, my self esteem, to conquer something so difficult. I found all the help out there in the world. You need to put your self pride aside, and want to say “I need help”. If I can do what seemed like the impossible, you can surely do it too! You are worth much more than you think.

Signed,