I am a survivor of domestic abuse. In September 2018, I walked into the DAP office. The first person I saw was the receptionist and I explained to her, with tears in my eyes, that I was going through domestic abuse. I met with a therapist named Liz B. She explained to me that I have the option to receive individual counseling and once I’m done counseling, I could be part of a support group. Counseling was about two or three months, but I remember it like it was yesterday. When I first sat down with Liz I explained to her the type of abuse that I was going through with my husband. I was dealing with the mental abuse of not feeling beautiful, being told that I’m boring, him saying he didn’t love me, and no longer wanting to be in this marriage. Along with the emotional abuse, he would come home late at night drunk knowing that he’s been with other women. At times I would wake up knowing he wasn’t coming home. He did not provide any financial support and I felt abandoned. He would constantly get us evicted and it was a lot to handle.
My husband would constantly tell me I was lazy, getting fat, and he would talk about other women in front of me. I started to believe that I wasn’t pretty or smart enough to have a man like my husband and believed that he was the best that I could ever have. I would compare myself to women in the magazines, commercials, and women walking down the street, wishing if I can only be the woman that he wants or needs me to be. I was so hard on myself every day. I would find myself fighting for my self-worth, thinking if we got into a fight, he would see how much I loved him even if it ended in a black eye or lip. His mental, emotional, & physical abuse was overwhelming. During this time I looked forward to meeting with Liz so I could share with her all the abuse and neglect I was experiencing.
Even though he treated me bad and I tried to leave, I would always end up going back.. It became so overwhelming that I found myself fighting back with my husband when I knew that it could have put me in jail for a mighty long time! Just as much as I was being abused, I found myself being an abuser as well.
I was able to use both my individual counseling and group support sessions to help me work through this all. I will never forget all that was poured into me behind the Domestic Abuse Project of Delaware County. I’m a survivor of 2021. DAP has given me my sanity back, belief in myself, and peace of mind. I have learned so much through the services provided: mountain meditation scriptures, understanding healthy relationships, trust, accountability, safety, honesty, support cooperation, and RESPECT.
Once I finished my individual and group sessions it was bittersweet to know all the beautiful women I met through my time with DAP. We exchanged phone numbers to help support each other. Shortly after the group session, I was enrolled with JJ Peterson mental health facility. While there, I continued to learn many tools to help me overcome domestic abuse and I am proud to say I am a survivor! I am involved with my church Ministry and as a volunteer with DAP. I am also looking to reopen my business, build a better relationship with friends and family, and continue the journey of self-care. Sometimes all it takes is a knock at the door and the time to listen to hear someone else’s story. My passion now is to help those in need by sharing my story, just like DAP helped me.
Thank You,
Danielle Richards
