HE DID EVERYTHING HE COULD TO BEAT ME DOWN UNTIL I FELT WORTHLESS. IT ALMOST WORKED.

This story, as told to Melissa Jeltsen, is part of “Why Didn’t You Just Leave?” a HuffPost series on domestic violence in which six women share their reasons for staying in abusive relationships. The story involves extreme violence and sexual assault and may be distressing for some readers. It has been edited for length and clarity. Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09...