The Passenger

A strange thing happened to me last week. I had just come out of the drugstore and gotten into my car when the door suddenly opened and a woman got into the backseat. I swung around and was about to tell her that my yellow car wasn't a taxi and ask her to leave when …

Teona and Vance

It was Friday afternoon and he was going home at a reasonable hour for the first time in weeks. He was looking forward to a quiet and relaxing weekend. He stepped out into the bright sunshine. The sun felt good on his face. Usually, it was dark when he left the office. Some times he …

Hanima’s Story

Photo by Ketut Subiyanto on Pexels.com How much longer can I take the abuse? He says he loves me but then, he gets into a rage for no reason and beats me. My body is hurting right now. I don't know how much more of this I can take. Is it my fault for marrying …

The Last Festival

PHOTO PROMPT © Bill Reynolds As she stared at the damaged greenhouse she was transported back to last year's beer festival, an annual open-air jamboree with live music. People from all over the state and even overseas flocked like birds every year.  She hated going. While everyone else was having a good time, she suffered in the sweltering …

No Education Leads to Risk of Child Marriage

Photo by Monstera on Pexels.com On March 23, 2022, the first school year here in Afghanistan, I was excited about returning and eagerly looked forward to seeing my classmates and teachers again. I along with other students showed up bright and early only to find the doors closed and armed Taliban guards. My heart sank. …

Thankful…For What?

Getty Image It's Thanksgiving. What do I got to be thankful for? Another year of abuse from a man who's no good? Should I be thankful that I lost another baby cause he knocked me about and that child going to see its father beat its mother like other kids do? Should I be thankful …

Vengeance

PHOTO PROMPT © Ted Strutz She looked at the water longingly.  Should she do it?  The temptation was overwhelming.  Gripping the rail, she imagined how she would do it.  It had to look like an accident.  Then, she remembered, “…never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God, for he has said that he will repay those …

VP Kamala Harris’ Message

For over 30 years, Futures Without Violence has been providing groundbreaking programs, policies, and campaigns which empower individuals and organizations working to end violence against women and children around the world. It is a health and social justice nonprofit and its mission is to "heal those among us who are traumatized by violence today – and …

No Longer Amish

I screamed but no one heard me. They couldn't. My screams were silent--inside. I screamed because my husband dragged me across the floor over to the bed where he raped me. He had raped me before. The first time he did, I got pregnant but miscarried. When I told my parents about the first rape, …

Battered Women

Battered Women’s Support Services (BWSS) is an organization dedicated to freeing and liberating women from violence and empowering the community through training and education programs. The organization has been providing counseling and healing spaces for victims of abuse for over 35 years and helping women to be strong and resilient through advocacy, law reform and …