Abused, threatened and shamed
Domestic violence is par for the course in many relationships; in fact many women don’t even realize that the verbal slurs and other actions perpetrated by their men count as abuse. Others endure physical abuse silently, accepting the apologies which follow as the norm, as they have become accommodating. What keeps a woman in such a situation for sometimes years? The women below tell how they were abused, threatened and shamed.
Sobrena C:
I was in a relationship with this much older man when I was younger, and for years I was stalked, slapped around, and even hit with his licensed firearm. Thing is, no one suspected that he was abusive because of his position in society and so for years I took the beatings and disrespect. I remember seeing in him with this other young lady and I mentioned that I was uncomfortable with that and he hit me in my face until the only thing I saw was blood. When I eventually told him that it was over he sent threats saying that he was going to get rid of me. I was fearful, yes, but I believed that God wouldn’t let that man harm me and I walked away free. Ladies, talk up if you are being abused or stalked. Don’t hide it and sit in misery like I did for years. Had I known that I had that much power to walk away, I would have done it from day one.
Amanda L:
I got married at age 23 to an American in hopes of changing my life and also getting an opportunity to better myself. At first it was great until he started video calling me on a regular basis. I remember one night at my father’s nine-night he told me to stay in my room. He held that green card over my head as a get out of jail ticket. I had to stay in my room and lie to my family that I was not feeling well. When he was in Jamaica he would beat me to a pulp if another man called to me on the street. I wasn’t allowed to go out, have friends, and he hated my family. I held on because I really wanted to leave Jamaica. I did eventually, but that was when all hell broke loose. I had to run for my life and I wouldn’t wish this experience on my worst enemy. I hate jealous men and I hate a man who questions my whereabouts. Right now, if a man releases a tinge of jealousy, I am out of that relationship in a flash.
Donna C:
I was in a relationship for over 10 years and most of the years were spent fighting. I thought in last few years of the relationship that he had changed and we got married. Then I became pregnant with my third baby and he saw a text from an ex in my phone that wasn’t even suggestive, and he stepped right into my belly. I thought for sure my baby and I were dead. I realized then that he only had to have a suspicion that I was cheating and I’d be dead. I eventually got tired of it and took my three children and ran overseas for my life. I have no intention of returning to Jamaica because I really am not reconciling that marriage.
