As many as four million women in this country suffer some kind of violence at the hands of their husbands or boyfriends each year. Victims of domestic violence come from all walks of life, all cultures, all income groups, all ages, all religions. They share feelings of helplessness, isolation, guilt, fear, and shame. Part of the abuser's power comes from secrecy.
Victims are often ashamed to let anyone know about intimate family problems.
Go to a friend or neighbor, or call a domestic violence hotline to talk to a counselor. Plan ahead and know what you will do if you are attacked again. Learn to think independently. Try to plan for the future and set goals for yourself. There are no easy answers, but there are things you can do to protect yourself.