The Truth of Abuse
I knew that something was wrong in the relationship with the kids' dad. At some point, I even realized he had a pornography addiction. I stayed with him, ever faithful, trying to get him to seek help for this, willing to work through the issue. Never once did I even consider the idea that he was abusing our daughter. We had been married for 9-10 years. I trusted him. I also was a stay-at-home mom, homeschooled the kids, I was with them 24/7, 365 days a year! I will never forget walking in, how the body can go into immediate medical shock - I just went cold. I will never forget being grilled in a police interview. How could this happen for so long without me knowing? Had I not noticed anything? So, I'm pouring out my soul to hardened dectectives, trying to think of anything and everything I might have missed. My daughter hadn't shown any outward signs, no bad grades, no behavioral problems, no sleep problems. I told them about the pornography issue and that I had been concerned about that. I told them that she had a couple of rashes over the years or a few sore muscles, but she was also a competitive gymnast, so none of it seemed that odd. And how the hell is a normal person supposed to even think that their husband is abusing their child in an open hallway - not even behind closed doors!!! That's how he got away with it. While I was working on at-home transcription work, he could hear if I was still typing or not and just stayed around the corner in the hallway!! I am not sure I will ever be able to get that image out of my head.
I know so many think that abuse only happens behind closed doors, or while a parent is not around, but the truth is it can happen in just a moment, a few feet away and I think maybe had I known the truth of that, I might have suspected a little bit earlier.
I know so many think that abuse only happens behind closed doors, or while a parent is not around, but the truth is it can happen in just a moment, a few feet away and I think maybe had I known the truth of that, I might have suspected a little bit earlier.
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