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Stories of Domestic Violence Survivors at The Retreat

“I know that you have a lot of pain but you didn’t have to take it out on my mom. Did you ever think for a second how this affects not just me but my sisters, your daughters?”`

Survivor Stories

Photo Credit by Lindsay Morris
“Someone once told my daughter that...”

When a boy is mean to you, it means he likes you. But I say to them, there is never a time when someone being mean to you is love. Ever. There is never a time when someone hurting you translates to love.

Photo Credit by Lindsay Morris
“I was scared I couldn’t live without him...”

But once he was gone, I realized I could provide for my family. I was better off without him. I told him the day I leave you is forever

Life after they seek help

Anonymous

I just wanted to say a few words of gratitude and encouragement to everyone working at The Retreat. It’s been almost a year now since I lived at the Shelter. I would love to tell you my war is over, but it just isn’t so. The truth is it may not be for a long time but I now have the courage and self respect to deal with that.

Chris’ Story

I was a recipient of The Retreat’s various services for a few years. They helped me in the darkest of times. I happened upon their door step very scared, anxiety ridden, dazed and without a clue of how to go about getting protection from my spouse. I felt as if I was all alone in the world and none of my family or friends would understand. I was embarrassed.

Anonymous

A survivor who stayed with us for an extended period arrived with little English, no phone, one autistic child, a toddler in a stroller and later gave birth to a premature newborn (she’d been afraid to tell us she was pregnant). We ultimately helped her find housing—through our transitional housing program—and we continue to pay for her phone, the only way she’s able to stay in touch with her counselor and case manager.

Gina’s Story

Gina came to the Retreat right before Christmas. She fled from her abusive husband who was the father of her three children. She had been beaten and raped on a regular basis in front of their children. Living in the safety of the Retreat shelter where she and her children regularly received counseling, Gina began to regain her self-esteem and confidence in two short months.

Marie’s Story

Marie graduated from high school and started college to pursue her dream of becoming a nurse. At 19, those dreams were cut short when she became pregnant a few months into a relationship and her abuser told her she was not allowed to go to school. He controlled what she wore, who she could spend time with and how her money was spent.

Sarah’s Story

I was isolated and afraid, and was told every day that I was crazy. On a routine domestic call to the Southampton town police, an officer noticed something wasn’t right. Thankfully he asked my husband to leave and pulled me aside and said, “I can help you. There is more going on than you are letting on.” I, of course, said no and he gave me The Retreat’s phone number and said, “Please call. They can help you.”

Anonymous

I just wanted to say a few words of gratitude and encouragement to everyone working at The Retreat. It’s been almost a year now since I lived at the Shelter. I would love to tell you my war is over, but it just isn’t so. The truth is it may not be for a long time but I now have the courage and self respect to deal with that.

Chris’ Story

I was a recipient of The Retreat’s various services for a few years. They helped me in the darkest of times. I happened upon their door step very scared, anxiety ridden, dazed and without a clue of how to go about getting protection from my spouse. I felt as if I was all alone in the world and none of my family or friends would understand. I was embarrassed.

Anonymous

A survivor who stayed with us for an extended period arrived with little English, no phone, one autistic child, a toddler in a stroller and later gave birth to a premature newborn (she’d been afraid to tell us she was pregnant). We ultimately helped her find housing—through our transitional housing program—and we continue to pay for her phone, the only way she’s able to stay in touch with her counselor and case manager.

Gina’s Story

Gina came to the Retreat right before Christmas. She fled from her abusive husband who was the father of her three children. She had been beaten and raped on a regular basis in front of their children. Living in the safety of the Retreat shelter where she and her children regularly received counseling, Gina began to regain her self-esteem and confidence in two short months.

Marie’s Story

Marie graduated from high school and started college to pursue her dream of becoming a nurse. At 19, those dreams were cut short when she became pregnant a few months into a relationship and her abuser told her she was not allowed to go to school. He controlled what she wore, who she could spend time with and how her money was spent.

Sarah’s Story

I was isolated and afraid, and was told every day that I was crazy. On a routine domestic call to the Southampton town police, an officer noticed something wasn’t right. Thankfully he asked my husband to leave and pulled me aside and said, “I can help you. There is more going on than you are letting on.” I, of course, said no and he gave me The Retreat’s phone number and said, “Please call. They can help you.”

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