This website has been created to
give women and men an avenue to express themselves on the topic of Gendered
Violence. People who are affected by Gendered Violence don’t usually seek help
from the Police, or family members because they are afraid of the repercussions
from their abusers. I’ve created this website for those people to let them
speak their minds or see that there are others who want to make a difference. Some
have chosen to remain nameless, but their stories still are powerful.
Here is a poem I wrote for my
friend. I wasn’t able to help her in any way except through writing. She was
beaten by her boyfriend and is too afraid to leave.
Run
to me
So
you can be free
I
am the man who wants to be with you
There's
no need to fear
I'm
going to be here
Always,
to
protect and to love you.
Are
you really going to turn
and
walk back to the man
who
beat you with his hands
Are
you really going to turn
And
walk away from me.
Just
walk this way and feel my touch
My
love will keep you warm
My
love will treat you right
There's
nothing to fear
So
wipe away your tears
Come
with me and don't worry
I
just want you to be happy
However
long you need
Is ok with me.
So
don't turn and go back to the man
who
beat you with his hands
Stay
with me
so you
can be free.
THIS POEM/STORY WAS WRITTEN BY A FRIEND OF
MINE
The darkness
envelops her like a shroud. Lies and deceit are all she knows now. In love with
a fantasy that can no longer be, running blindly through the shifting shadows of
the place she once called home. This once familiar, comforting place has rotted
and crumbled until she cannot find her way. The monster has run rampant here,
spreading his hate and disease, destroyed it all. Still here chasing, clawing,
and gnawing at her. Closing in with rapid speed the monster pounces upon her.
His stinking breath, smelling of fleshy
decay fills her nostrils with its putrid odor. The monster reaches out to
stroke her cheek, slowly closing in to take her and make her his
own. She cannot think of a more unspeakable terror. She will not live
the rest of her life in his version of hell. Summoning all of her waning
strength, she fights with the last part of her that is still sane and part of
the life that she once knew.
Just as she’s ready to throw the final,
fatal blow the monster shifts a bit and she sees the man he once was. The man
she was once in love with. How could she do this to him? How could she hurt
him, this man that she loves? He leans closer and she realizes it was just a
glimmer of the man she knew and now the monster below shows through once more.
This is the real him, the one that she can no longer tolerate. The one that has destroyed her life. With swift strength and
accuracy, she delivers the final blow to the monster’s throat and watches as
his life’s blood drains.
Once again, she is free to be the woman that
she once was. No longer shackled and cowed by the monster that was once a man.
THIS WAS
WRITTEN BY A WOMAN WHO IS STRONGER THAN ANYONE WHO I HAVE EVER MET.
I LOOKED AT
THE MAN WHO STOOD OVER ME
HE HAD A BLANKENESS IN HIS EYES
AND BLOOD ON HIS HANDS
THERE WAS AN EMPTINESS ABOUT HIM
AND I KNEW I WAS TRAPPED
YOU CAN TELL IF YOU'RE GOING TO BE SAFE
BY THE LOOK IN A MAN'S EYES
IF HE SHOWS SYMPATHY OR FEAR
THEN YOU HAVE A CHANCE
IF YOU SEE NOTHING AT ALL
THEN YOU'LL BE IN HELL
THANKFULLY,
I WAS ALLOWED TO GO FREE
BUT WHAT ABOUT THE OTHERS?
WHO CARES ABOUT ME
BY MADELINE
TELL ME A STORY AND
I'LL TELL YOU MINE
IF YOUR STORY IS HAPPY
THEN MINE IS DEPRESSING
DOES YOUR STORY HAVE A DAD
CAUSE MINE DOES
DOES YOUR STORY MAKE YOU CRY
CAUSE MINE DOES
DOES YOUR STORY END WITH HAPPILY EVER AFTER
CAUSE MINE DOESN'T
MY STORY IS ONGOING
ANONYMOUS 04/13/04
For Emily
My future burned bright
Nothing could go wrong
It was all going right
But it was on that dark September night
When he and the others
Ganged up and become brothers
My future became grim
Cause my son's name will be Tim
For Daniel
I can't believe what i've done
She bleeds below me
She trembles in fear
And yet she doesn't leave
Our lives have become intertwined
Now that our baby is on the way
Damn you dad
Why'd you have to treat me this way
My words-------------Her Words
Fear-----------------Family
Pain-----------------Forever
Future---------------Day by Day
Help-----------------Afraid
Friends--------------Family
Police---------------No Help
Counselor------------No Help
Final Word-----------Alone