Read Mary’s story. Think about it as you read.

I grew up in an abusive and violent home. I saw my father beat my mother up every time he went out drinking. I was going to get a licking from my father but I always managed to run out the house when I saw them fight.

When I got my own family I thought I was safe, but I wasn’t. I got beat up by my boyfriend. I tried to break the cycle but I couldn’t do it by myself. Sometimes my children would cry when they saw me crying. I’m trying to teach my kids what is right and wrong. I W