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cheyriver
01-06-2008, 12:25 AM
I thought I would share my experience with others. Warning this may be difficult to read but I hope it will help others out there in these situations. Sorry this is long.

I'm 36 years old. Growing up with my parents wasn't easy. Both were abusive, mainly emotional but also physical. My mom is controlling and likes to rule the roost. Nothing was ever good enough for her. She constantly put me down, said I was ugly, fat, etc. She often told me to never talk about my problems to anyone because nobody would listen or they would get sick and tired of me and stop being my friend. This was drilled into me all the time. Eventually I believed her and kept things to myself. My dad was more physically abusive. I recall him trying to choke me once.

When I was 14 I was molested (not by family member). I kept it a secret but eventually told someone at school. Child protection etc was called. The person wasn't charged, not enough evidence. My parents found out and instead of being angry at the abuser I was blamed. I was told that the first time it happened I should have learned not to go back and because I went back I must have enjoyed it.

Fast forward to years later. I became involved in a relationship. Like most abusers, they don't show their true colors at the beginning. He swept me off my feet. Looking back the signs started with emotional abuse or he would become upset over little things. If I bought something with my own money he would say I spent too much and get upset. Over time it got worse but I assumed he was under a lot of stress from his job and also his mom wasn't well. Eventually it lead to physical abuse. I figured again he was stressed and didn't mean it. Eventually with the emotional abuse and his games with me I felt like I was at fault. He would say I love you, next minute your trash, or nobody else will love you like me. The abuse escalated to the point when he hit me and if I cried, yelped in pain or looked him in the eyes he would beat me further right there or later in the day. I wasn't allowed to show physical or emotional pain. I eventually blocked both out. There were times I had injuries that were painful, needed treatment but I blocked, numbed the pain out for weeks. I was afraid of going to the doctor because either he wouldn't allow me to go or I was afraid of judgement. Eventually I told the truth to one doctor and he said 'you must enjoy being slapped around." I experienced a few others like that and it made me not want to seek medical care. My now exbf broke bones, gave me head concussions, cuts, bruises. I am now partial deaf in one ear from a concussion he gave me. I have needed three surgeries due to injuries he caused which gave me problems later on. He was very sadistic. Often he would lock me in the spare bedroom and invite his friends over to watch sports, drink beer. None of them blinked an eye. Sometime he would open the door to show me to them. They just laughed, probably just as bad as him. I felt like a zoo animal on display. I remember going home to my parents house with injuries asking them if they could take me to get treatment. My parents were just as bad. They said here's a first aid kit and throw at me. They kept saying I was at fault. When I came home to where my bf and I lived, he would laugh in my face and say "See even your parents don't give a darn about you, they think your scum" and he would laugh in my face. I was scared to leave because he said if I left or called the police, he would hunt me down. I believed him because I knew what he was capable of. After one bad incident, something snapped inside of me and I left. He was away for a whole day, I packed up and got out. I moved in with my parents temporary but eventually moved to a shelter. I broke up with him over a phone call. He was upset, saying after all these years you can't tell me in person? Why don't I pick you up, we will talk, go for a ride in the country. He kept crying. I knew if I went with him, I wouldn't be coming back, my life would be gone, he would have killed me. Even though I left I still had problems with him stalking and confronting me. He sent me letters, flowers, weird poems and at one point dead flowers. He even got a few of his friends to come after me. One of them attacked me and I finally called the police.

My parents were no help when I was in it and out of it. I decided to ask them why. They came out and said "we only wanted one child when we got married( I have an older brother who lives elsewhere) because you weren't wanted in the first place why should you be deserving of emotional support." I said why didn't you give me up for adoption if I wasn't wanted? They said they didn't want to look bad in front of others so they kept me. I found out also when I left my now exbf, my parents were telling him where I was. I noticed at times he would be where I was and was suspicious how he seemed to know constantly even though I tried to take different routes etc etc. I asked them why would they tell him? Were they scared he may do somthing to them? They said no he was great towards them and they told him where I was so we could get back together. I said I never wanted to go back to him, he was violent, could have killed me. My parents said they only man you deserve is one that will beat your a**.

So my relationship with my parents is horrible. I don't even feel like I have a family, parents. They made themselves clear about how they feel. I feel ashamed to tell people about them, fearing what they will think or may think of me.

I still have medical problems from the abuse and I find it difficult talking to doctors about it. I've experienced so much judgement. I know there are medical people out there who are really good, luckily I have experienced that as well.

As for my exbf, the police became involved after I reported his friend attacking me. The police were set to charge my ex with several offenses. Apparently he paid his friend to hurt or kill me. The police were concerned he may make a run for it and hide if he found out they were coming to arrest him. I asked about a restraining order and they figured with someone as violent as him, it may make him more violent if he is served with the papers, probably violate the order, and advised me not to get one. It turns out some people who I thought I could trust with the information told my ex that the police were after him. Instead of running, he killed himself. I guess he knew his time was up. I felt mad because I finally had the courage to get justice, see his arse go to jail but now I can't. I wouldn't wish anyone to kill themselves, but at the same time I am glad this monster is gone. He was really violent and sadistic.

blossom4th
01-06-2008, 12:52 AM
All I can say is Oh My!!!! :( Actually,I'll say more....You should be proud of yourself for surviving and being able to tell this story!!! And NEVER EVER NO NEVER let yourself believe what your parents told you!!! How wrong and absolutely cruel they were!!! I can certainly understand some of the things you went through.Been through them myself.Including the numb emotions.I call that ,'survival mode'.Though you didn't get to see justice done by putting your boyfriend in prison;justice was done.I'm not saying that we should become vengeful.Matters should always be handled in a legal manner.But,since he took his life,he could no longer do you or anyone else any harm.You never had to fear him again.

Buttons2
01-06-2008, 02:08 PM
WOW,this is quite a story! Yes,you are a survivor. You didn't mention how long ago your exb killed himself? We also have a forum here on BT for survivor's of suicide,you might benefit from posting there also.

I think you have alot of strength,you've survived an abusive realtionship,plus you seem to be able to "see" the damage done by your parents.

Where do you stand today as far as your family? Do you have a relationship with your brother? Any other family members?

My thinking here is that you are reciting facts,but leaving out the emotions. You deserve to be living a full life,this includes the ability to feel,to let the anger out,to be able to trust other people in friendships or relationships. I'm guessing you have put up alot of barriers to protect yourself.

Glad you have found BT. Do you also have health issues? Permanent damage from the abuse?

We can't chose our parents,yours are certainly not worth much notice I'd think. How cruel can people be? So sorry you've had all this negative stuff in your life.

You haven't mentioned counseling......have you ever tried that? Or perhaps group therapy?

And just for info, I think the cops were wrong to tell you what they did about getting a restraining order,there's such a thing as an "order of protection" (I think that's what it's called). It's very important to have a legal record of any abuse,without it the courts might not pay attention.

In some ways you got lucky,he killed himself before he could kill you. That must kinda give you the shivers! If this was all a recent happening in your life,then you are still dealing with alot of trauma.

Good luck to you,Buttons

joy
01-06-2008, 10:22 PM
Hi there again. No matter the circumstance of how that man is out of your life, I'm awfully glad he is out of your life! It is a horrible thing to say but it does sound like it would be you or him. So I am so glad you are alive and have a chance at happiness finally. Peace of mind, know your own self worth and just know that many here care about you already and want only the best for you. I too am appaled at how your parents explained away everything. Too detached to even be parents in my opinion. I hope you are safe now with them regarding your feelings etc. Not just your physical safety but your mental now as well.

I had not read any of your posts when I replied to you regarding writing the older man. Yes, if he gave you his home address he meant for you to write him there and will welcome hearing from you. I can certainly see now why he was interested in what happens with you, FINALLY a decent person maybe in your life. This is not to say this is the only thing anyone would be interested in you for, far from it, it just makes decent people hope that things change for the better for you. You need a lot of decent, caring people in your life or at least a few stable, dependant ones. Many gently hugs to you and please keep sharing anything you wish with us, or just keep in touch and let us know how you are.

cheyriver
01-07-2008, 07:21 PM
Thanks blossom, Buttons and joy. :)

Buttons in regards to your questions..

In regards to where I stand with my family.. I don't contact my parents. I tried to make amends or hope they would change their way of thinking. To this day they feel the same way as they did in the past with their comments. My brother and I don't have a close relationship. We talk over the phone but not that close.

I do have some permanent health issues from the abuse. Partial deafness in one ear from head concussion. I also had a lot of injuries that were never treated so now I do experience pain. I also had three surgeries due to past injuries by him, problems appeared later on, needed surgery.

I have gone for some counseling. I can't afford to pay for counseling and did go to a free clinic which offers limited counseling. I'm on a wait list for more long term free counseling but it will be awhile before I get in.

I tend to be factual when I talk or write about the abuse, and not showing emotions. I have put up a lot of barriers so I won't be hurt because I have been hurt by many people I thought I could trust.

As far as stable, dependant, caring people.. I've really had none in my life. Which is why from my other post, I appreciate what that older man did for me. I don't look to him for constant support, I also want to be friends with him but nothing more than that. He is a neat person as well but I sense he is shy, uncommunicative.

Kashis
01-10-2008, 02:25 PM
I feel your pain I have been in the same boat and parent ashamed of me telling me the same things telling me I deserved the abuse etc... and now they act like nothing ever happen and I hate to say I leave it that way as why hurt my self on there account I know the truth there in denial I mean who would want to admit they gave there kid a brain injury with the help of other family memebers I was sexually abused too and told to stop making up stories so I know right were you are coming from

This is a place to come some of us survivors and some learning to survive and some struggling to still find away out alot of us have no one to trust when we come here though its a family that understands

I tried counsling until I was threatend to loose my children then I stopped as I felt they were against me too the emotional hurt didn't even matter to them and I found this place on accident when I was looking into brain injury groups we are all different but have lived the same pain and you coming here is awesome to share and help others who haven't gotten so far yet

I am happy to meet you and hope to see more posts I have no life due to abuse as you can see by all my posts but its helped me so much to get all the pain out from years past and not have to worry about judgement or critizim I found somewhere I can go where people will listen and let you cry your heart out to help you laugh the next day I have found true friends here another family so to say and hope you find the same Hugs