Snoskred - Life in the Country

(photo thanks to Sephyroth)

In my last years with him there were bruises on my face
In my dawn and new day I finally got away
But my head’s all messed up and he knows just what to say
No more dawn and new days I’m goin back to stay

Still - Macy Gray

This song is here because there are women all over the world today, on Christmas Day, who do not know if the day will end with a beating. They know deep inside that they should leave, but.. It is the but that might eventually get them killed. Christmas Day is no different to the other days in the year. Every day can end in a beating when you are living with Domestic Violence.

Even worse, there are women all over the world today who are not physically abused. They are emotionally abused. Instead of their partner supporting them, building them up, lifting them over obstacles, they are constantly put down. Their self esteem is eroded quietly.

I was one of the lucky ones. My partner hit me once and I got out, because I had always been told don’t stay when you get hit. But we need to change the message we give to our children to include don’t stay when you get emotionally abused. Too many of them stay for emotional abuse because they’re not being hit, and they know that physical violence is why they should leave. It can be just as harmful as physical abuse - and it can lead to physical abuse down the track.

I hope women reading this who are living in a Domestic Violence situation will give themselves the best Christmas present ever - start planning a way out of their situation. Help is available and you are not alone.