While I understand that if you have never been there, you can’t possibly know what it is like, but asking someone why they didn’t “just leave” can be further damaging. Living with an abuser changes a person’s way of thinking, over time making them feel trapped. Here is a list of reasons a person may not “just leave”.

In a relationship, these things often happen so subtly that you don’t realize you are being manipulated. You just slowly begin doubting your own beliefs and thoughts on the matter of what a relationship should be. You may stay somewhere you don’t want to be, for fear of retribution or for fear of failing God

I often ask myself, “If you wouldn’t say that to someone you love, why is it ok to say it to yourself?” Love yourself enough to change the way you treat yourself.

You would think I would be over it by now and the fact that he can still in anyway affect me makes me frustrated beyond belief.

Eventually I came to believe that forgiveness was either something that I was unable to do or something I didn't even know the meaning of.