Rachel's Stroy 

I thought my boss was a wonderful man when I fell in love with him. My first mistake! He was thirty-one, I was eighteen. He was kind to me in the begining and made me feel important. 

After dating for five months, I found myself pregnant. Jessie seemed pleased and concerned for my well-being. We moved in together. He wanted me home and fired me from my job. It was upsetting to me but I found some sense of comfort from his wanting to protect me. I thought an older man would be better for me but man was I wrong! 

The hitting started during my pregnancy. Jessie would say, "If you were a good girl I wouldn't have to discipline you so much." I hated hearing that. When I gave birth to my first son Jackson, I thought it would help. It didn't. I was black and blue with a bruised body by the time Jackson was 4 days old.

I was no longer living near my parents and I was forbidden to have any friends or support system.  My father was angry with me because I had children out of wedlock and said it was my fault as I put myself in that type of position. The few times I tried to tell my parents what was going on, they would say, "YOU MADE YOUR  BED - NOW LAY IN IT!"  I suppose that would explain much as to why I stayed in such a damaging relationship.

Eventually, I got tired of the beatings as even the making up part didn't help. Although he would be nice to me after a beating, I always feared what I knew was coming soon. I was ready to leave. But then I ended up pregnant again and gave birth to another wonderful baby boy, Isaiah.

I was tired of this life. I wanted it to end but I loved my boys and couldn't leave them. They were what kept me alive. I remember saying to myself, "If there is a God, please help me. I will never doubt Your existence again." I never believed in God until that night, as I stood in the shower and looked down at the red water following another beating and a warning that "this wasn't over yet." Our neighbors had never indicated they overheard our fights. Jessie was asleep on the sofa when I heard a knock on the door. He was an extremely light sleeper so I couldn't believe he didn't hop-up at the sound. My heart was pounding as I ran to the door.

I never found out why the neighbors came to my door that night, but they were forceful enough to get my children and me out of that house, which eventually led to my flight to safety.

They say that when a victim leaves her abuser, most go back around 7 to 9 times. Not this woman! I left 22 months ago and through empowerment and other group therapy, I know that I won't ever have to go back and accept that kind of treatment again. Thank you for giving me a second chance!