June Issue 2012

Why did she remain? There are various answers to what may seem to be a simple question: She feared for her life and the life of her children.

She had no resources to take care of herself and her children after she left.

She feared what society had to say and how she would be branded or accepted.

She feared how the church would label her and her children.

She thought he would change.

She was convinced that it was her fault.

Lela began to literally break down she was faced with a difficult decision, stay and endure continued abuse and maybe death leaving her children without a mother and to be abused by her abuser their father or leave not knowing where to go.

As the abuse intensified and after a most horrendous attack where she saw her life flash before her she knew that the time had come the decision was made and leaving was now the only option, it was not any easy road after she left, and her husband did not just sit back and accept it he fought, he threatened, he begged but she had come to a breaking point and embracing her freedom even though life was difficult financially and her children and herself did not have the comforts of a physical home she was now free and loved the feeling she looked forward to her healing knowing that it would be a long and arduous task but she was determined to survive and to give her children a safe, healthy, and loving home.

As a way of healing Lela began to speak out about her abuse and in speaking out her eyes were opened and she was shocked to know that there were so many Christians who were experiencing abuse and also were perpetrators of abuse. Lela was not happy or contented to being a static she wanted to make a difference so she went back to college and is now pursuing a Criminal Justice degree at Richard Stockton College of NJ, (USA). In this enlightened age no victim should be carrying the extra burden which society lay’s upon them because of the myths and misconceptions of abuse which permeates the atmosphere, it is a criminal act and should be counted as one when society seeks to silence the victim of abuse thus strengthening the hands of their abuser.

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