This isn't something I ever imagined talking about on this account, but I need to say it for those who need to hear it.
In my personal life I've had a lot of ups and downs. For example an "up" of mine is being engaged to the most brilliant, funny and kind person I've ever met, who would never change anything about me.
This is the down I'm here to talk about today;
I am living with my partners family. You will not find a cash app, gofundme, or venmo attached to this post because I am not here to ask for help. I am living with them because I am a victim of domestic violence and they took me into their home no questions asked back in January. My abusers, my parents, came to the city I sought safety in, stole my car, and were able to disable my old phone. I will not go into the details of what happened behind closed doors, however I will tell you I attempted to take my own life at fifteen years old as a means to end the abuse I suffered. I am posting this now and telling an internet full of strangers because I see posts all the time saying things like "here's a hotline!" "Here's a safe space!" "Call a crisis center!" "Get a police escort to gather your things!", and they all make it sound so so easy. If you are a victim of domestic violence, if you are at the lowest you've ever been and somehow my words reach you, I'm going to be honest, it isn't easy. It's terrifying. It's the worst thing I've ever done, walking away from my parents and my family. As terrified as I was I got a police escort and I walked away. I have to rebuild my life from complete scratch. This probably doesn't sound like an uplifting talk, but hear me when I tell you this; it IS worth it. You DO deserve happiness. My heart goes out to everyone who has survived violence at the hands of those you believed you could trust. I am so sorry if you've lost someone to this violence. Please, if you feel any empathy for me or any survivor for that matter, reach out to your loved ones. Protect eachother, and if you're suffering, it's going to be scary, it's going to be hard, but please find a safe way to get out. You deserve to see the next sunrise. I promise they only get more beautiful from here. I promise you.
Domestic violence hotlines and Suicide and crisis hotlines vary on country and region, you can contact local nonemergency officials, such as police offices or fire stations to obtain these numbers. If you're a minor contact any mandated reporter to obtain these numbers in case you cannot safely look them up on your wifi or mobile devices.
To obtain a police escort: call your local police department in advance or the day you wish to gather your things, find an area away from the house/apartment/residence, and go with the officers to the address. They can not help you with large furniture, force entry into the building, or help you if there is a protection order in place. These laws and procedures are different for minors.
Salem A.K.A. shark-fact-offical