I’m Trapped in an Abusive Marriage (What Do I Do?)

I’m Trapped in an Abusive Marriage (What Do I Do?)

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[kctexan]

Alone is better than this. I am speaking from experience, Ashley. I left an abusive marriage of 20 years with 3 kids with a little money and no parents to rely on. We lived in an apartment provided by the local battered women's shelter. We slept on the carpeted floor with no furniture. And it was 1000% better than living in a 2000 sq ft furnished house with a monster. Leave ... please, God ... leave.

[mistermanman]

"He's a horrible husband but an amazing father" is not possible. A man can't treat the mother of his children terribly and be a good father. This woman is so psychologically damaged. I hope she gets herself and her children away from that man.

[GinaLoriDuncan]

She is terrified, paralyzed with fear. He's an abuser. She is scared have a conversation with him about anything, which has led to her be scared to have a conversation with anyone. She's at her most vulnerable with two babies and pregnant. Praying she gets help.

[jaellouis]

My mom was in this EXACT position.
With a 4 yr old,
a 1 yr old,
and 3 mos pregnant.
She left.
He found us and almost killed her.
We moved again and hid from him.
No one believed he was an abuser, including the judge.
He never spent even a single night in jail.
He was awarded every other weekend visitation rights.
I was terrified of him.
It was hard for her and us.
Justice was never served to the abuser.
Five yrs later she remarried and he stopped the stalking.

[marim]

As a child who grew up in an abusive home, please leave. It took me 49 years to feel safe in this world .

[amberklein]

You don't realize how bad it is until long after you get away. You just can't see it. It's survival.

[aliciaamond]

She's dealing with a narcissist. It's so hard to have a marriage with one. He don't respect her or anything. He has made her not even love herself.

[Jack-jryv]

What a horror long term abuse is, this poor woman lives in perpetual terror. It was such an act of strength she even made this call. I hope she and her children get out safely.

[ltlelady]

This woman is incredibly brave.

Translation of what she was saying: “my husband has nearly killed me before. I broke myself to stay quiet enough to give him no reason to rage at me. He will definitely kill me or my children if he knows I’m talking. And he’ll stalk us if we leave. If I want my kids to live, I have to stay and accept it.


The police can’t offer protection from this level of abuse. She’s not giving up and being a martyr. She’s being held captive. There’s a difference.

[Islandgirl_]

Behaviour is a language that’s powerful. I feel for her. The lack of self worth is stemming from gaslighting, coercive control and isolation. Poor lady she might even be susceptible to postpartum here. Bless her.

[jenica]

He’s not a good father. A good father supports the mother and works as a team.

[olivialam]

You don't know you're being abused until you get out and have time to heal....

[jessielucca]

So many of us have been here. many of us. Drowning, dying, feeling our lives were in danger, having young children without support... Dr. John is good. I wish a show like this existed for me years ago. This woman has been so programmed to believe she has no value, and an abusive jerk is the best she can get. Girl, get out. In 5 years you can be in a complete 180 of happiness.

[PinkSpice]

Being single has never killed anyone but being in a bad relationship has😢

[tabkaliO]

WOW!!! “He has left you!” So powerful! When abuse starts, the abuser has absolutely left the marriage!

[AngelaNortonTyler]

People are so judgmental. Yes, it's frustrating to hear about a situation, but we aren't living in it, with an abuser and two little kids. Years of abuse and mind games can make you feel almost paralyzed. Stop blaming the victim.

[KayemKarihinga]

This must be the toughest call. The mental state of abused people is so so difficult to penetrate. This is very heart breaking, cause I have seen this in someone very close to me.

[kirox]

She’s scared to say what’s in her head. It doesn’t matter how nicely she says it to him, it will be the wrong time, wrong tone wrong words. You can’t communicate properly with an abuser. They immediately get defensive and play the victim and turn the situation around on you and at the end of it you end up apologizing to them. It’s frustrating and feels incredibly hopeless

[sarahmar]

This call is so intense. I pray this woman finds strength.

[sandraweber]

"But I love him"...no. You love the idea of him, you love the person you want him to be, huge difference.