Blog - A survivor's story

Mary grew up in Arizona with her and move to Florida while she lived with her ex partner. After they moved in together, the abuse started.

The abuse was physical, sexual, mental and psychological.

The physical abuse left its mark in the form of black eyes, cuts and concussions. She said her abuser constantly took advantage of her by giving her drugs to make her have sex with him as well as made her easy to brainwash.

Mary was not only afraid of her partner, but what he could do. She said that she feared human trafficked if he decide he didn’t want her anymore.

She left Florida and went to Oregon to get away from her abuser. Mary escaped with no phone, no car and all on her own. Mary is now a survivor of domestic violence and is working to be independent.

The mental abuse was in the form of threats, PTSD and Stockholm Syndrome which led to her being hospitalized. While she is safe and away from her abuser, the hospital bills haunt her.

“These medical bills make me feel like a bird with clipped wings.”

While Mary is trying to be as frugal as possible, the bills are taking nearly all of her income. She feared telling anyone about the abuse that she kept it from her family, friends and police officers.

Since Mary did not fill a police report, she is unable to get victims compensation. She has set up a GoFundMe campaign to help pay.

Mary wants other domestic violence victims to know “that they are not alone. And that no matter how hard it is to leave and the strength it truly takes to not go back that last escape- you ARE worth it. No matter how much he's broke you, no matter how brainwashed into thinking it’s your fault, you CAN survive. You CAN live to create a new, better life for yourself. One day at a time.”

*Name and locations have been change.