The End of My DV Story and Thank You’s

Well, this post concludes my Domestic Violence Story.

After hearing that Mike* has been running around telling people that we broke up because I cheated on him, I feel like I finally got to tell my side of the story. Although a lot of details were left out, I feel like I’ve gotten it out for myself, like I can fully close that chapter. I think the only thing outstanding is what happened to my pets, Floyd and Zoe, but I don’t think I’m ever going to find answers to that, and I just have to trust that they’re in good homes and leave it alone.

I hope that my story can help others draw parallels to their own experiences so they realise they’re not alone. So they realise that what they’re dealing with is not okay, and the, if and when they choose to reach out and leave, support will be there to help them. I hope they can see that as terrifying that the prospect of leaving is, it’s the best thing that they’ll ever do.

I want to thank my parents for their support. Things got sticky for a while, but they were always there, waiting for me, and as soon as I was ready, they were there. I can’t imagine how difficult leaving would have been without them. Mom took the day that I left off work so that she could be there with me at the police station. Mom and Dad both took the next day off to be with me in court. Dad took another day off to be with me in court when I applied to have the DVO amended to no contact. They took care of me like I was a child again when my brain shut down in those first few days after leaving. They fed me wine when I couldn’t bare to eat, did whatever it took to make me smile and laugh, and made sure that I knew how much I was loved. I don’t know what I would have done without their support.

I want to thank my sister, Katherine. She was someone that I could always talk to, someone that was always standing behind me. I love her so much, we have such a strange and amazing chemistry when we’re together, and I’m so sorry that I let that chemistry be dulled throughout this. Although she didn’t know, Katherine helped me see that there were issues. The fact that I couldn’t just be myself with her anymore, it made me feel terrible, and it was one of the things that was telling me that something was wrong. Thank you for being my sister, thank you for standing by me, and letting me lean on you when I needed. I’ll be here for you forever, for whatever you need.

I want to thank Tina*. Thank you for the late night Macca’s coffee rants. Thank you for helping me see sense and assuring me that what was going on was so wrong. Thank you for taking me away the next day and listening to me cry, cheering me up, and helping me come up with a plan. Thank you for standing by me through all of this, and thank you for being such an amazing friend. You’re like a sister to me, I love you.

I want to thank Tony, my boyfriend. Thank you for being so amazingly supportive through all of this. You were there when I was dealing with harassment and police, you picked me back up when I fell apart over Floyd and Zoe, and you made me feel loved and appreciated again. I’m so lucky to have found such an amazing man, you’re honestly the stuff of fairy tales, I didn’t think men like you actually existed. Thank you for being you, and for walking into my life at exactly the perfect time.

I want to thank the people who have reached out to me and offered their support, many people who I never expected to do so. The amount of support has been so heart-warming, and reassuring for other’s going through this situation. Some people may have felt awkward reaching out, but I want to say thank you, and tell you that you probably don’t know the impact that you’ve had. Thank you.

And finally, I want to say thank you to everyone who’s read my posts, liked, commented, and shared them. I never thought in 1000 years that my story would gain this kind of attention. I only hope that it’s helped some people to understand Domestic Violence a little better, and inspired anyone reading who might be dealing with it to take action.

My Domestic Violence story is over now. If anyone has any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask me, I’m happy to help anyone better understand what went on, and to better understand Domestic Violence itself. As I’ve mentioned before, if you have a story that you’d like to share, I’d be happy to share it on here for you (and keep you updated with the stats like how many views it’s received). You can be as open, or remain as anonymous as you like, whatever makes you feel most comfortable. Just get into contact with me.

*Please note, his name has been changed, although he doesn’t deserve any sort of protection or privacy, and I’m sure that most people reading this already know who he is. It wouldn’t be difficult for those who don’t, to figure it out. Still, I have to do the right thing so this doesn’t come back and bite me in the ass. 

*Other names may be changed as well to protect them from retaliation.

If you’re dealing with abuse please reach out. Your local Domestic Violence Hotline can help guide you, and you’re more than welcome to get into contact with me to talk.