The Conversation: The Power Wheel

~ Makes me me feel afraid or unsafe with actions, gestures and/or looks

~ Makes me think I’m crazy, misrepresenting or overreacting

~ Plays mind games

~ Monitors my behavior and communication

And that’s only some of what was done over a 2 year time span

But yet I’m the problematic one

I should have left sooner

I should have ‘reasoned’ with him better

I should have done ‘A, B, C’ and ‘X, Y, Z’

I should have…

I could have…

I would have…

I can use all the words I want

No amount of talk is going to convince someone on the outside of the severity of what’s going on on the inside

No amount of talk is going to convince others of the consequences of the lack of help to get out

No amount of talk to going to help ‘fix’ the situation

Words

Can you back them up with actions?

If you see the changes happening

If you see someone continually making appeals

If you see them further drifting away

If all you do is offer advice

If all you do is offer sympathy

It’s time to take a step back and reevaluate

No one is asking you to step in and go directly after the abuser

But it is being asked to help find a way to get the victim out

And safely

I shouldn’t have to feel like my life is worth throwing away just because an abuser chooses to think it is