one of our readers left a plea for help after reading "killing wives," and it breaks my heart to know that at least one in every three women has been beaten, coerced or abused during her lifetime. as a survivor of a seriously abusive relationship, my heart goes out to those who are still struggling in abusive relationships. speaking from experience, my only advice for those of you who are in these relationships is this,
"It Will Only Get Worse If You Stay."
none of the "summa mamas" are professionals. we are simply three roman catholic moms posting at a weblog. however, i would like to direct you to the professionals:
For Immediate Assistance:
National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-SAFE or www.ndvh.org
National Center for Victims of Crime 1-800-394-2255 or www.ncvc.org
For Further Information:
Family Violence Prevention Fund 1-800-END ABUSE or www.endabuse.org
Thank you for speaking out on such an important issue. It is one that I am familiar with as well. I pray many women will see this on your site and make a call. I also want to add that you don't have to be hit in order to make a call. There is verbal/emotional abuse as well. If your loved one controls or limits your contact with friends or family, uses elaborate arguments to wear you down or constantly interrupts you, invades your quiet time or privacy, interrupts your sleep often, turns around your complaint about their behavior to be your fault, or speaks to you as if you were a child, you may be experiencing verbal/emotional abuse. If you think this may be a possibility, call one of the numbers or get a book on verbal abuse.
P.S. If you get a book on abuse and your partner is abusive, only read it when they are not around. Make sure to hide the book when they are around.