By Paula Lucas | Founder
Helena's emails to our crisis email were heartbreaking. She lived off base in Europe with her American military husband. She loved him but he was so emotionally abusive to her, calling her names and insulting her, that she felt she just couldn't function anymore. No matter what she did he told her she was stupid. He would scream at her for things like forgetting to put a fork in the dishwasher or not folding his clothes the way he liked.
He had never hit her, but he had beaten her down with his words and anger so much that she felt she was only a shadow of her former self.
Helena did not want to report the abuse to the family advocates at the base as she feared it would not be confidential and he would find out. Then she would really be in trouble.
We were able to have several crisis email exchanges with Helena and explained the abuse was not her fault, presented options for her, and continued to provide emotional support.
Helena decided she wanted to leave the abusive home and get to a safe place in Europe for a while but not come back to the USA yet.
After Helena felt she was safe, she let her husband know that she left the home due to his abuse. He is begging her to come back with promises of changing but she is feeling stronger and empowered. She is having a chance to rest, regain her self-esteem and get counseling.
Without donations like yours, Helena would not have been able to communicate with us via our crisis email and she may not have gained the confidence to make the decision to leave the abusive situation.
When a victim knows they are not alone, it can make all the difference in the world.
Thank you from the Pathways' Team!
By Paula Lucas | Founder
By Paula Lucas | Founder
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