October was National Domestic Violence Awareness month. There was actually more buzz after the Chris Brown and Rihanna incident back in February 2009 about domestic violence then there was in October.

Lets be honest, a lot of press equals more awareness, which in effect brings about tougher laws and more resources for victims. Sadly, it seems like the only way anything gets publicity these days is if ‘the situation’ happens to a celebrity.

As soon as the coverage dies down, the only ones still talking are those affected, directly or indirectly. I guess this isn’t always the case, every now and then we must applaud those in the spotlight who make a sincere effort to advocate for a good cause.

Halle Berry Speaks Out

Nicole Kidman Takes Anti-Violence Message To Kenya

Stats:

We have a ways to go, however! According to statistics people are suffering daily in the United States as well as other parts of the world: More than three women a day are killed by their husbands or lovers right here in the United States.

Although young women between the ages 20 to 24 are at greatest risk for domestic violence, this crime affects millions.

Nearly one out of four women in the U.S has experienced some form of violence by a current spouse or boyfriend at some point in her life. What does that say about the culture we live in?

Misunderstandings:

Those who have never experienced violence or abuse in their relationship often wonder what possesses a person to stay in such a situation. And honestly, there are no easy answers and so many reasons.  These women (sometimes men) are in a battle zone; their abuser has an arsenal of ways to keep her/him under control.

Some of the barriers that keep them in a hostile environment may be: lack of money, fear of being killed by the abuser, fear of being alone, commitment to marital vows, love, no support system, hope that things will get better.

My story:

So I said all this to say, Peace is a God given gift! (John 14.27) It’s criminal to take that from someone. Those experiencing their own inner chaos, those operating from pain will pull you into their hell. And they’re pros at keeping you there.

It’s been over a decade since I left one of these toxic relationships. It took a lot of time to reclaim my peace, and there are still days that the pain seems recent. Days I remember as if it were yesterday.

One of the greatest challenges victims of abuse face is whether we chose to learn from the pain. Pain changes us, we are never the same after it, especially when inflicted by a loved one or someone who claims to love us.

Since then, I’ve sought comfort from my healer, my creator. And He has given me the desire to want to share my stories, even if I embellish, add characters, change plots and so on.

My writing has been therapeutic for me.

In my work of inspirational fiction, Beneath Dreary, the heroine doesn’t move forward until she finally gains the courage to face all the lies planted within. This is a courageous journey within itself. We can spend a lifetime believing a lie about our self.

Just as my heroine sees the light, she’s pulled back into darkness where she must escape the wrath of her lover. If my story empowers only one woman to reclaim her peace, it was worth writing.

National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−SAFE(7233)

Peace, Love and Light.