Janna Leadbetter, writer and advocate
It is more common than not that a woman who successfully left her abuser will still have to share custody of her kids with him. Their father. I repeat, her abuser. Why? For one, the …
“It all started when I was fourteen years old and he was the only guy in school that gave me attention. He had a girlfriend, I knew that but she went to a different school …
“I lived for years in a relationship that harmed me more than a punch or kick ever could have. I lived with emotional and mental abuse for years. I was told all the time how …
“I was with my abuser for over a decade. Not once during more than 5000 days together did he say I was beautiful.” | Pretty Now | Submit your own Survivor Snapshot through this page’s …
“He was active at church. We lived at a private lake, owned waterfront property, and always had a boat and toys. He was self-employed. He was a steward and Samaritan. He had a lot of …
“I’d been a stay-at-home-mom for years. Raising our two kids and doing all those household things, the ‘woman’s responsibility.’ And then once both kids got to school age, he decided it was time I ‘contributed.’ …
“I got out of bed this morning. ‘ Sure, it’s an every day mundane task for most, but these days it’s quite an accomplishment for me when I find that most days every part of …
I read this passage in a novel by my favorite author last night. But while the exchange here between Lester and Candy is fictional, this IS a reality for so many women. “Does he hit …
“As I walked through the store, I couldn’t help but stop and gaze at the necklaces on display. It was nearly Mother’s Day and the shelves were lined with delicate reminders of the children I …
***This particular feature offers a specific, raw example of abuse that may make some uncomfortable and prove a trigger for others. Still I share, because it’s someone’s truth — the truth of many, actually — …
