Abuse Hides in the Dark. Turn on Your Light.

About Relationship Abuse


  • Amanda’s Story of Abuse

    Amanda’s Story of Abuse

    Amanda’s Signs of Being Abused I always knew I was different. I was one of six children in the house, and I was the only one ever being hurt. Amanda’s Emotional Signs of Abuse Unworthiness, Disgust, Anger Amanda’s Story of Abuse Ever since I was a wee child I had it. Bruises, scars, blood, it all…

    +✢+✢+✢+


  • Alyssa’s Story of Abuse

    Alyssa’s Signs of Being Abused It wasn’t until my lawyer referred to my ex as an abuser that I was able to acknowledge to myself that she was abusive and I was forever going to be a victim of domestic abuse. Alyssa’s Emotional Signs of Abuse Anger, Numbness, Despair Alyssa’s Story of Abuse At first, I thought she was…

    +✢+✢+✢+


  • Crazymaking: Abuse That Makes You Doubt Your Own Reality

    Crazymaking: Abuse That Makes You Doubt Your Own Reality

    Crazymaking confuses, causes paranoia and makes you doubt your perceptions. Crazy makers do this on purpose because a weakened victim is easier to control.

    +✢+✢+✢+


  • Examples of Verbal Abuse

    Examples of Verbal Abuse

    Types of verbal abuse range from full on anger to forgetting on purpose. Even the silent treatment is a type of verbal abuse! Verbal abusers use several other sneaky tactics to abuse and control their victims, too. Recognizing the types of verbal abuse is the first step to overcoming its effects and regaining your mental…

    +✢+✢+✢+


  • Crazymaking Rules for Abusive Relationships

    Crazymaking Rules for Abusive Relationships

    We abuse victims have rules we must follow to keep our abusers happy. Unfortunately, those rules can change at any time. And then change back again. Hmph.

    +✢+✢+✢+


  • I Told Everyone About the Abuse

    I Told Everyone About the Abuse

    This outreach benefits me every day. I no longer feel alone or voiceless. Because of reaching out on my blog, I found the courage to locate domestic violence organizations in my local area for face to face help. Groups and counselors who know about domestic abuse are invaluable to recovery (and simply getting through the…

    +✢+✢+✢+


  • Things Abusers Say and Do

    Things Abusers Say and Do

    Things abusers say and do are designed to control you. Whether abusers say and do these things knowingly or unconsciously, the result is the same: you feel lower than dirt, or become afraid and intimidated. In your weakened state, your abuser finds it much easier to gain power over you.

    +✢+✢+✢+


  • PTSD Makes a Noisy Mind

    PTSD Makes a Noisy Mind

    I forgot how anxious I was until after I left my ex and experienced peace for the first time in 18 years. There is such a difference from when I lived with the abuse! If I’m not yet at peace, that’s okay. It will come. Whatever “this” is beats what I used to feel by…

    +✢+✢+✢+


  • ‘You Hate Men!’ Is Diversion . . . and Retraumatization

    Telling me that my rape is the source of our problems is a diversion. It turns me away from whatever Will is doing and causes me to examine myself. By blaming my past for our current problems is also wrong. Will blames me for our problems without taking any responsibility for his behavior.

    +✢+✢+✢+


  • Sobriety Fixes Nothing

    Sobriety Fixes Nothing

    Drinking only lowers inhibitions – it lets you be “more you” and gives the abuser permission to abuse.

    +✢+✢+✢+