This week I read an article about violence against women and it resonated with the topic I am dealing with and for that reason I contacted kroeshaar.com.
I am Eli Verwey, 29 years old and mother of 4 beautiful boys. Through a friend I came to kroeshaar. com. I think it is a very nice site because I am a dark woman with frizzy hair that I am very proud of. It is therefore very nice to read about experiences of others and about the care of frizzy hair.
A few weeks ago I started a facebook page called justice for all women and then a blog Starlight in women. I started this because I myself was in an abusive relationship for 9.5 years.
I was silent for a long time because of the shame I felt and the guilt; I thought it was my fault that I was treated like this. After the break-up of my relationship, I found myself in a position where I was looked at askance on the street. Family, friends and people I knew broke off contact with me or reduced contact. I didn't understand why. Afterwards I found out that my abuser was spreading lies about me and people believed it. He knows a lot of people and a lot of people know him and he abused this position. At times when I tried to indicate that I had been abused, I was not or hardly believed. I had always been very concerned about my privacy but I was treated unfairly and I realized that I shouldn't be the only woman in this position.
I have decided to no longer live in fear and have started my blog which also contains articles about my personal experience. I want to inform the community about the signs of violence and what happens in such a relationship. How to recognize this and especially to listen to the victim.
We as a community are responsible for what happens around us and we can no longer close our eyes to reality. When a woman is not believed and cannot find support in her environment, the chance is even greater that she will remain in the abusive relationship or return. A perpetrator of violence ensures that his victim is destroyed on all levels; financially, socially, emotionally, so that she continues to need him. My advice to the community is to be open to reality and offer support to these women. Do not leave them alone; be quiet and listen to what she says.
That's why my campaign is called; Sshh. . be still and STOP abuse! Young women should be able to recognize perpetrators of violence at an early stage and young boys should get help to get angry in a safe way if they have aggression problems. In this way we can perhaps prevent violent relationships and work together towards a better future.
Justice for all women! My blog and campaign can be found at www.starlightinwomen.wordpress.com
love,
Eli
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