Overcoming Abuse: The Power of Support and Self-Healing

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Some years ago, my sister was in a serious relationship that seemed to be perfect. She was deeply in love with this guy, and everything appeared to be going smoothly. Even my mum liked him when they met and believed he had the potential to be a great husband for her. He was calm, down-to-earth, and came across as someone who would treat her well. But as life often shows us, appearances can be deceiving.

One day, everything changed. My sister went to visit him, and though I don’t know exactly what happened between them, but what followed was shocking. He punched her several times, leaving her with swollen eyes and bruises all over her face. At the time, I was still in secondary school and wasn’t home when it happened. When I returned, I was told that part of the issue came from his lingering ties to his ex. Apparently, he had an issue with her, and she didn’t love of the fact that he was moving on with my sister. It was even said that the ex had gone as far as seeking spiritual means to sabotage their relationship.

Hearing this left me both angry and heartbroken. I couldn’t believe someone so close to me—my own sister—had experienced something so violent and traumatic. What made it even more difficult to process was the image I had of this guy as calm and respectful. It was like he had been hiding a side of himself no one could have imagined.

Despite the shock and pain, my sister was brave enough to tell my mum everything. She didn’t try to hide what happened or make excuses for him, and for that, I respect her so much. My mum, of course, was furious and immediately took her to the hospital to get treated. There was no room for debate—my mum told her to leave the relationship and never look back. She didn’t even have to think twice. As painful as it was, we were all relieved that this man showed his true colors before things got more serious like marriage.

It wasn’t easy for my sister to move on, though. She had truly loved him and had seen a future with him. But she had an incredible amount of strength. With time, and with the support of my mum and the rest of us, she began to heal. Slowly but surely she found the strength to move on and then she shifted her focus to her goals—getting a job and building a life for herself. To be honest, watching her rise above that terrible experience only made me admire her more.

When I think back to that time, it’s clear how important it is for abuse victims to have a strong support system. Healing from such an experience is never easy, but it becomes more bearable when you have people around you who genuinely care, who will listen without judgment, and who will stand by you through the tough times.

To help victims of abuse speak up and heal, the first thing i feel we must do is create a safe and supportive environment for them. They need to know they won’t be blamed or judged for what they’ve gone through. Instead, they need to feel heard, validated, and protected.

Also, we can help by encouraging them to focus on themselves and their future. Just like my sister Whether it’s pursuing their career, developing their passions, or simply taking care of their mental and emotional well-being, these steps can help them move forward and find healing.

At the end of the day, supporting abuse victims is not always easy, but it’s one of the most meaningful things we can do.



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2 comments
(Edited)

She didn’t try to hide what happened or make excuses for him, and for that, I respect her so much

Big Respect for Her, It takes Courage and Boldness to speak up
Awesome post

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(Edited)

Yeah it just had to happen. There is nothing better than speaking up when something is wrong.

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