My story is very different than that of most women. I was a second wife to a real piece of work. I was abused for 8 years. The day before my 32nd birthday, he almost killed me. The reason why I am telling you this is the very reason why I am still here. I heard my father's voice in the middle of the assault. I felt his hands on my shoulders, and I heard him say that everything was going to be okay. All my fear and pain went away. I told him to take the knife away from my throat and put it down, and oddly enough he did.

After the police arrived and took him away, I went to a shelter. I don't think the women there ever saw a woman so badly beaten before. The doctors were stunned because I should have been at the very least knocked out. I looked like I had 1/2 of a softball coming out of my forehead, fractured ribs, 2 black eyes, and a lot more. But you get the picture. After that I was in a homeless shelter for 6 months until my sister and me got our own place in a hotel. 4 months later we got our own apartment and we haven't looked back since...

-- Nikita G