Color Me Butterfly

In 2002 I was in a relationship with a guy who came to visit me at my house who decided that he was not leaving. It became apparent very quickly that he had a few problems. We were dating probably less than a few weeks when he first chose to put his hands on me. We fought like two arch enemies. All day everyday. For any reason. Than one day he decided to beat my then 2 year old son (who I was in the middle of potty training) for peeing on my couch which was in my house which I had paid for.He left bruises on 90% of my babies body. I have to say that it was at that particular moment that I said that I needed to get out of that situation at whatever the cost. I know we all say not me, but you will be surprised at how out of control a situation can get and how quickly it can get there. I must say that it was because that one man that I am as strong as I am now. To anyone in a similar position. Get out If you can. Seize the opportunity when it presents itself because you will never know when you will ever get that chance again. Do not Cover up for them. Your health and well being is not worth it. My story could have ended in a very different manner. But I must say that I have been blessed.

Hi, i think everything does happen for a reason. I just got out of a relationship a few months ago. I was with the guy for five months, and he never hit me but i think if i would have stayed just a little bit longer he would have started hitting me. He always yelled at me for stupid things, blamed me for everything like why he yelled or him having a bad day just everything i was blamed for and he would call me names and stupid and would not let me talk to my friends he monitored my cell phone all the time i couldnt even talk to my family which hurt me very bad cause my family and i are close and he always scared me cause when he did yell he would punch the wall or break things. Whenever i tried to leave he would stand in front of the door and would not move until i said i would not leave and it just made me more and more stressed everyday. My hair started falling and i started loosing alot of weight. He would always make me feel bad after an arugement he would say it was my fault and i should change, and say that he did so much for me but realistically he didnt he could barely feed me not even a 99 cent cheeseburger from mcdonalds. and i couldnt get a job he wouldnt let me i stayed at the house all day. I was very scared and weak minded cause i thought i had no where to go. Then in april i found out that i was pregnant. I was happy but sad. Happy cause God blessed me with a gift but sad cause it was his. But after i found out i was pregnant i finally got the stregnth to call my family and ask for help and i finally got out. I am 7 months pregnant now, im healthy and happy and have not seen or talked to him since i was three months. but you are right dont cover up for them cause i did that alot and i would blame myself for his actions or tell the few friends and one family member that he was a good guy. But my story could have been differnt too. If i did stay i think i would have lost my baby to stress and he would have started hitting me.

You are both amazing women. I divorced my husband 4 years ago but still i live in fear. He choked me and dragged me by my hair repeatedly. I even lost our second child. But because he never hit me with a closed fist he claims i was not battered. I don't know where he is, he has no fixed address. I have had my phone cut off 5 times, moved three times and changed jobs. i have no home number now so he calls my work. My 5yr old has not seen him in 3yrs now but remembers him trying to steal him and evertime he starts up again, these things run in cycles, he can't sleep for fear he will 'get' him this time. I have been strong but I am tired of it. I divorced him to escape but the police are powerless and even right now they are on high alert for him in the state and we wait...

Narelle--this is regarding your post. By the grace of god friend, I will pray for you and all the others out there in the same situation. Be safe and don't ever give up!