For years I dealt with the abuse. I honestly thought it was a shortcoming on my part. Something I wasn’t doing right in our relationship. Something I could control and fix. Once Malcom came along that all changed though. My beautiful son.

I went home and gave it long thought… my soul too had been assaulted, and it was time for me to make a change. What I learned during my effort to help another person helped me have the courage to change my life and break free of abuse.

My name is Marina. I was in an abusive relationship for 12 years, and married six of those. I experienced abuse at every level, which started after being in the relationship one year. One of the most common questions I’ve been asked is, “Why did you stay so long?”

I’m now at Bradley Angle—but nobody knows I’m here. I feel good about being here. I’m so close to home, yet nobody can find me. It feels safe and secure here. I feel so much better since getting here.

My name is Robert, and I grew up in a small town in the Mid-West, where everyone knew each other and nothing out of the ‘ordinary’ ever happened. When I was 19-years old I came out to my family, and let’s just say they didn’t exactly embrace my news with open arms.

Jessica found healing in writing creatively about her story. Here is a poem she wrote during her time with us.

On October 12, 2004, I became intimately acquainted with Bradley Angle. I left my boyfriend of four years on the 10th with two kids, a stroller, a diaper bag, and the clothes we were wearing.

Tonight is my last night at Bradley Angle, and I want to share with you the hope, the empowerment, and the sisterhood I’ve found here.