@ABrookeByTheTree

5 years ago

October 24th marked the 8th year since my daughter's dad tried tried to murder me. He probably would have if my (then 5 year old) son hadn't walked into the room where I was being strangled, and held captive with a butcher knife pushed against my throat. (I still have the scars.) My daughter was only 3 at the time, and fast asleep in her bed, and my son was having a bath. I like to think it was our intuitive bond that led him to me, because normally he would have called for me to help him get out, and he hadn't even finished yet. I honestly believe that his naked little entrance saved my life, like a cherub sent from heaven. Distracted, the monster let up his grip just enough that I was able to slide down to the floor. I remember running; still bent over, scooping up my son, and trying to take shelter in the bathroom. My daughter's dad continued to try to get at us for the rest of the night, breaking doors, smashing walls, hiding the phones & car keys, and even blocking the exits to the house. Fortunately my little girl slept through it all, and doesn't remember any of it, my son however, remembers it all. I was threatened, and bullied for months after, and even prior to that. I was always told that if I filed charges, or tried to leave "there would be consequences." He would say that he was going to take my daughter away. He also usually threatened to "take off my head", and used to lay his shot gun where I slept as a reminder of my "consequences." He used to hold that same shot gun to my forehead, and tell me that the world be better off I were dead. He would also pin me facedown on the ground, police style; with my arms bent upward toward my collarbones, and put his knee in the middle of my spine until I couldn't breathe.. among many other violent things. Finally after months of living like this, I finally found courage, called the police, filed charges, got a 4 year restraining order, moved out, (had to couch surf for a while), and sought counseling for my children, as well as myself. What happened to him? He got a slap on the wrist, paid a fine, was put on probation for 6 months, and had to go to a few anger management classes. That's it, but I guess I'm still breathing. To this day, he continues to have joint custody of our daughter, (who's now 11) which I tried to fight, and lost miserably. She hates being over there, and still cries when it's time to leave. Breaks my heart every single time. I still don't think it's fair that someone like him, capable of these things is free to do as he pleases. He's since had another daughter, (who's now 4), with someone who he is also not with. He treats women, his daughters, and his dogs like possessions, does not take responsibility, and has no respect for them. #standuptodomesticviolence

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