Steph... ridicule

Submitted by Keri (Canada), May 26, 2007 at 21:33

Steph, I am sorry, but it is EXASPERATING for all of us out in the blog world to have to listen to the excuses that you give for not leaving. I have worked in a battered women's shelter, and believe me, if you made it known that 1. You were not SAFE, 2. Your DAUGHTER was not safe, and 3. You had no where else to go.. the shelter has a LEGAL responsibility to take you in. if this is not the case, go to your state and local representatives and lodge a complaint. Go to your newspaper.. go to an advocate... find SOMEONE to do this with you.

If I were you, i would go to the Police, the local Family and Community Services division, the local churches, the Salvation Army, etc.. and make your case CLEAR that you are in an unsafe situation and are scared to go back home. Abuse takes many forms, and the shelter staff know that just because you don't have bruises and black eyes, you are still being abused. Remind them of their LEGAL obligation to provide services to you.

Reading your posts, the number one thing that you mention is a variation on the theme that you do not receive gifts/acknowlegements from your husband for special occasions. In Islamic culture, these occasions are for the most part unrecognized on the whole. it is not a personal attack on you. The fact that you are able to use the internet is a huge freedom. Use this as a way to make an escape plan.

Heck, give ME your local shelter's number and I'll call them and DEMAND that they let you in.

You have a whole lot of people here who have offered you advice, assistance, etc.. but you just slam the door in their faces and refuse to work with them. A. JOSH posed several questions to you, and you refuse to answer them. At least IF you answered them, perhaps we would understand your situation better and you would not feel so attacked.

... Please... don't come back at me with, "You don't know my situation". I do. i left an abusive relationship with two girls under the age of 3. I had to return to work, get daycare, and a safe place to live. I KNOW what it is like to have to start over. Do not lead a fear based life. Fear masks itself in depression and anxiety... whick keeps a person in the same viscious cycle.

I am offering you my assistance as a professional. I will call the shelter, the police, etc.. on your behalf and request services for you.

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