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Child Abuse Story From Aurelia

by Aurelia
(USA)

My father was a tyrant in our house. Everyone listened to him and everyone was afraid of him, including my mother, although she never wanted to admit to it. I remember being beaten at 5 years old for not sharing food and toys with my younger brother. My father locked me in my room all day and told me and my mother I wasn't allowed to eat that day and then left to work. My mother didn't go behind his back and feed me. Then at dinner, he made me watch as the rest of them ate dinner.

As I got older things got worse. I was forbidden from crying ever, so when I would get hurt as I child I tried desperately not to cry, but when I got caught once for crying, my father hit me. As I got older and started using the computer more, I would use chat rooms and other things popular in the 90's to speak to friends on. He caught me once and threatened to beat me if he found out I was talking to boys. By this time, I had begun to notice that maybe this wasn't right, that maybe he and my mother were wrong. My mother wouldn't stop him from doing anything. I began to notice my mother didn't care when I sat on the small sofa next to him in his office and the sofa slid and he barked at me to get off. While his co-worker was still in the office I told him sorry, and to relax. After his co-worker left, he slammed me against his desk and yelled at me that I was making him look stupid in front of co-workers and friends. I asked her why she never stood up for me. She told me that he's my father, he can do want he wants and that she wasn't going to start a fight with him for no reason. He also never wanted to spend any time with me, although I would ask him always to go to coffee or dinner or something to maybe save our relationship. No, he preferred going out with his 20-year-old co-worker.

I worked with my father from 16 years old. He often showed me affection there, in front of his employees. There wasn't much between us at home, unless he was angry at me. At this age I was also very depressed and often thought of suicide, and attempted many times over the span of 3 years. I also couldn't control my anger. I would snap at my brothers, my mother and other people for the little things.

When I went to college I had a few scholarships and wanted to go out of state. Eventually, I left and went back barely every 3 months. My father was pleased with me, truly.

After I graduated I went to work. I haven't seen either of my parents since I graduated college. I saw them at my wedding and they asked why I never went home anymore. They think I've forgotten the emotional and physical abuse I suffered. I haven't spoken to my father in 2 years. My brothers told me he's been trying to get in contact and doesn't know why I won't speak to him. After my brother's told him what I believe, he denied ever hurting me and that everything he did I deserved, and it was my fault. He thinks I should have been afraid of him as a child.

Darlene's comments to this "Child Abuse Story From Aurelia" can be found at Comments below this submission. Depending on system activity, there are sometimes delays in comments going live on my site; but rest assured, they do eventually appear. So if you don't yet see them, I hope you will return later to read what I, and possibly others, have written. I thank you for your patience and understanding.

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Comments for
Child Abuse Story From Aurelia

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Jul 11, 2008
The results of abuse instead of appropriate discipline...
by: Darlene Barriere - Webmaster

Aurelia, your father and mother are paying the ultimate price for their ignorance. I have always found it interesting that abusive parents can so easily blame the child for their own inexcusable and out-of-control behaviour, and then further put the responsibility on their now-adult child by feigning innocence of any wrongdoing. You did nothing wrong. You were a child; they were the adults. Deep down, I believe that abusive parents know they were/are abusive. I believe they know that their actions and inactions caused a great deal of pain and agony for their child. I believe that your parents, Aurelia, are very much aware of what they did to you and how wrong it was. Even the most uninformed parents aren't completely blind. Your parents may be too wrapped up in their own hefty baggage to allow themselves to truly open their eyes. Children who learn to fear their parents often grow up to hate them.

You gave your father the opportunity to develop a positive relationship with you, even in spite of the physical and emotional abuse, but instead of rushing toward the prospect of some closeness with his precious daughter, he chose instead to shun you. And now your father is scratching his head in supposed disbelief for the way you are shunning him.

I believe with all my heart that families need to stick together, and emotionally support each other through the tough times. But when a controlling tyrant continues to live in a state of denial, when that tyrant refuses to shoulder any responsibility for his/her own unjustifiable actions against their child, when that tyrant insists on still wearing that crown of tyranny, then there comes a time when you have to create distance in order to protect yourself.

Does that mean this "distancing" will be forever? Not necessarily. But at this stage in your life, distancing may well be the healthiest and safest choice for your. At this stage in your life, unless and until your mother and father get their head out of the sand and admit that their actions and inactions had a tremendously detrimental effect on you, the chances of any kind of healthy relationship with them are grim. Not to mention the fact that you will always be worried about exposing your own children to their potential abuse. But you don't need to confront your parents or for them to admit to their wrongdoing in order for healing to begin.

I cannot tell you what the future will bring. What I can say is that you have the power to take charge of your own life; and one of the ways you can do so now is by entering into some form of counselling. You're in a lot of pain, Aurelia. A professional can help you with that. And you are so worth that kind of help. Treat yourself with he dignity and respect that you didn't get in your home.

Darlene Barriere
Violence & Abuse Prevention Educator
Author: On My Own Terms, A Memoir

Jul 11, 2008
They're reaping what they sow
by: Andrew Richards

What your parents did to you is unforgivable Aurelia, and there'd be something wrong if you weren't angry. I went through a similar childhood and I know how much mistrust, anger and resentment builds up. Until your father shows remorse for his crimes and your mother for her complicity, you have every right to want nothing to do with them.

They burned the bridges here, they hurt you, they treated someone who should have been precious and priceless to them like a piece of garbage- it's up to them to rebuild the love, bridges and trust in this situation and them alone. If that never happens then it just shows what a weak, scared and pathetic coward he always was and always will be and just how much stronger and braver you are than he could ever hope to be.

Jul 11, 2008
I Love You, Aurelia
by: Francine

Aurelia, I understand what it's like to be beat, scared, put down and abused. I am sorry that you didn't have a good dad and I am also sorry that you had a cowardly mom who never wanted to save you from that monster of a dad. I am so alone with a psycho dad and my dad, too, is very ballistic and abusive...but my mom is different than yours; she stood up for me at times and she is a brave lady, thank God for that!

Jul 14, 2008
Thank you
by: CC

I am really glad to hear that you got out of that situation. I'm 19 years old now and I have been abused all my life. I'll be going back for my sophomore year of college and I won't be coming back home. I hope that I never see my heartless mom or her boyfriend/ abuser I've dealt with in my life. I have been through some of the same things like being abused and having no one care, especially your own mother. It hurts a lot and is comforting to know I'm not alone. Thanks for your story.

Aug 09, 2008
Thank you
by: Aurelia

Thank you to everyone who commented. I truly appreciate all the comments everyone has left me. I guess I wasn't wrong as a child, that it wasn't my fault and that I really was being abused. Its a strange feeling to be right about something you've been told over and over agian your wrong about. Other than my husband the people on this site and the only ones who have told me that it was abuse.

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