I Survived In Her Words

By Cheryl Gillespie

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and statistics indicate that one-third of Texas women will experience the trauma of being involved in a domestic violence relationship. I stand witness to that statistic because I am a survivor.

Survivors do not celebrate this month. We acknowledge that many sisters suffer or will needlessly endure this trauma.

Trauma is a word that is often used and abused, like many women who suffer in disgrace and silence at the countless beatings, psychological abuse, and shame. Perhaps it’s asking how I got myself into this and how can I get out of this situation safely.

I got out, but yet I live in a prison of despair that creeps into my psychic memory every so often.

October is more than that for me; it is triumph over tragedy.

It may be tragic that I was an unwilling prisoner of domestic violence., but yet I triumphed. I have triumphed to tell my story today, and though it is painful for me to share the memories of the past, I do so because when you look at me, you will see an inner strength that all survivors have. It is the strength that Maya Angelou once said, “Still I Rise.”

American culture has conditioned us to believe that abusing women is accept- able. Whether it was Ralph Kramden who threatened to knock out Alice Kramden in every episode of The Honeymooners comedy show in the 1950s, or present-day rappers like Sean Combs who brutally assaulted Cassie, this behavior has not disappeared.
Domestic violence is not funny or cool. We must put an end to it.

They are considering passing legislation such as Representative Colin Allred, (the current United States Senatorial candidate) Skills Against Violence Act that supports skills training and workforce development for survivors of gen- der-based violence.

This legislation includes survivors of domestic violence. The Skills Against Violence Act is essential as women are often alone, and jobless, as they rise from the ashes to a better tomorrow.

There are indeed better tomorrows. These tomorrows mean relying on the hands of an unshakeable God who has me. I have God, and he has me, and yes, I have a dog named Khloe (smile). October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and I am a survivor.