Lisa

1a.  Ready to escape - Leaving

“Escape the DV “ they said. “You need to leave. Flee”   

Unprepared, ill equipped, with no knowledge of what lies beyond,  terrified, you take the leap of faith, based on their messages and the DV awareness campaign advertised, believing them that you and your children can escape, leave the storm, that all will be ok and life will be good.   

The reality is completely different, with the jump from the pan to the fire, where there is more perpetrators and predators in hostile systems intensifying and amplifying the abuse. 

1b. Swimming for shore –  Navigating Systems abuse Post separation

Exhaustion has set in over the years since leaving.

Alone, surrounded by sharks, huge waves crashing around you, in the dark.  Some days you are barely keeping your head above water, trying to not drown, but somehow you have to keep swimming.  Swimming towards the elusive land on the horizon.

So much and so many are lost along the way. You are more alone and powerless than ever, and can no longer protect your children.

If only there was a boat that you could board safely and take you and your children to land, to start a new life, as the messages implied.  Instead the war ships surround you, constantly attacking.