Broken: A Story of Abuse and Survival

by Anne Peterson

Listed are various kinds of abuse. Tears sharpen my vision. Physical abuse Beating Grabbing Pinching Pushing Shaking Excessive tickling Using Weapons Biting Hitting Pulling Hair Restraining Shoving Twisting arms Smothering Choking Kicking Punching Scratching Slapping Spanking Tripping Power Denial of basic rights Legal means of forcing power Deprivation of private or personal life Mandated duties Controlling the amount of bath water used Stalking Spying Following to activities Extreme distrust and jealousy Emotional abuse Put downs Name calling Mind games Mental coercion Extreme controlling behaviors Conditional affection Loss of identity Threats Threats to end relationship Makes threats to harm emotionally or physically Threatens life Threatens to take the children Threatens to commit suicide Threatens to report to the authorities Forcing the abused to break the law And the list went on and on: I’m surprised. My list of what abuse was had been so small. Until that point, my definition of abusive meant, someone hit you.

If you see yourself in this, get help.