It means it’s still happening, you walnut.

Absolutely this. I cringed the first time I saw these. I was a volunteer DV advocate for about 3-ish years. I’ve also worked criminal DV cases as a prosecutor. Of the women (and men) I actually met in the hospital for advocacy, 0% of them looked like this. Yes, 0%. That doesn’t mean they didn’t have injuries; they…

My boyfriend recently kicked literally through a door because I said no to sex. He says he got mad because he didn’t hear me and I walked away. So the male police officer told him no means no, we’re both on the verge of getting arrested, how bout we take you two away and give your kids to the state, you don’t have any…

A year or two ago, I saw an ad on TV that talked about financial abuse. I don’t remember the details, but I remember thinking that it was spot-on based on the abused women that I have known. We need to see more ads like that.

VERY good point. One of my clients is working through this now (she has yet to fully leave her abuser and struggles to even acknowledge it is abuse) but when she discusses it with me, it goes so much further than broken bones. The level of manipulation, emotional trauma, and control of her every movement is astounding.

This so much. My ex never laid a hand on me, but he abused me so badly I think it’s forever changed me. Emotional/mental abuse is soul destroying.

I agree completely. My partner years ago abused me in a variety of ways, but he largely made sure it was undetectable, which made it even easier for me to deny the reality of the situation. It wasn’t until he left me with a black eye and a bloody nose and I was found terrified running through the woods did anyone…

You had me at “killer stems”. Star for you!

God that is so me. At this point my waistline has surpassed my boobs. For the first time I seriosly considered a fat transfer boob job. Or lipo.

you bet! I’m a pear with a waist (rapidly diminishing, though it is) but i would LOVE to have legs like that. ... I guess the moral is to love what we’ve got (cuz baby we got a lot.) (Not “baby” at you. Sorry. )

There is no hope for humanity.

Ewww. That’s harsh for you. Such a bad sign.

I’m sure this is in the comments somewhere, but Planned Parenthood is on option on Amazon Smile. A portion of the proceeds of all your Amazon purchases goes to the organization of your choice. It's not much, but every little bit helps!

It’s absurd that a woman who is going to get basic medical care is risking her fucking life. Pop in to pick up some plan B, dealing with a miscarriage, Pap smear, etc. and risk getting shot.

Depends on the pigment of the shooter’s skin. They could just be mentally ill.

You are connecting on the right level. More non-black people need to be connecting on precisely that level.

You’re so okay! All I meant by that comment was that I think you are totally right to feel what you’re feeling. I can’t imagine what it would be like to watch this as someone with a child.

For what it’s worth, I’m black and I’m turning it off for now. I need a couple of days if I’m going to keep engaging with this. Nothing but baking pies and looking and puppies until next week.