Because survivors deal with their scars for a lifetime
Because abusers sentence is finite if they’re punished at all
Because survivors’ loved ones lives are forever changed
Because some abusers never face punishment
Because fear is real
Because fear is bullshit
Because what was she wearing is still a thing
Because we still talk about sexual history
Because you know a survivor
Because I do
Because some stories never get told
Because he’s a survivor too
Because she pretends he’s dead to survive
Because you doubted his guilt after he was convicted
Because he did it again
Because you know someone who got away with it
Because she was telling the truth and you didn’t believe her
Because you know someone who never came forward
Because if we do nothing, nothing will change
Because that’s not okay
Because we are strong
Because we are stronger together
For my family
For yours
For each survivor
I walk
A mile in her shoes.
Because her eyes used to light up
Because now they light candles for her
Because her mother puts flowers on her grave now
Because her children will grow up without a mother
Because her father can’t even drive past her high school
Because her father will never get to walk her down the aisle
Because she wore long sleeves to hide the bruises
Because they pretended not to see the bruises
Because she lied when they asked about the bruises
Because the neighbors turned up the music so they didn’t have to hear
Because her friends turned a blind eye
Because love is blind
Because love hurts
Because love should never hurt
Because he swore he would never do it again
Because he lied
Because “baby, I mean it this time”
Because he didn’t mean it
Because she made him so mad
Because you know about my temper
Because shhh
Because he killed her spirit
Because she drinks to drown the demons
Because her demons can swim
Because it’s just a piece of paper
Because she can’t breathe when she thinks about it
Because she still jumps when she hears a loud noise
Because she still looks over her shoulder
Because he got a gun anyway
Because she wished she was dead
Because she wished he was
Because she survived despite the odds
Because she didn’t
Because she still gets up every day and tries
Because she remains kind in this world
Because she isn’t broken after all the battles she did not ask to join but fought anyway.
I walk
A mile in her shoes.
Thank you for supporting my efforts to raise funds for the Elizabeth Freeman Center! This cause is important to me because I know too many strong, kind, wonderful people whose lives have been impacted dramatically by domestic abuse or sexual assault. Domestic abuse hides behind walls, knows no boundaries, and is capable of trying to destroy the most beautiful of lives. Together, and only by taking action, we can inspire change. Every donation helps. Thank you SO much for your support.