Volunteer Spotlight: Odalis’ Story
BTSADV’s own volunteer, Odalis Robles, shares her Survivor Story in this Volunteer Spotlight.
Rebuilding and Grateful But Still Afraid
She was fourteen and naive; fifteen and damaged; sixteen and broken. By seventeen, she’d lost her soul with nothing left to believe in. Having lost friendships, hopes, and respect, she blames herself. Deep down, there is nothing left – no voice; no will to live. Afraid that she’ll never be strong enough, she attempts to rebuild, but the wounds haven’t healed yet.
When Abuse Hides Behind Love
After 18 years in a controlling relationship, she realizes that her marriage is abusive and that she has lost herself. She still struggles to share her story– it doesn’t paint the typical picture of abuse. Her greatest wish is that the fight against domestic violence will be won so that our children will never have to go into battle.
A Pastor’s Daughter: Road to Recovery & Forgiveness
As a pastor’s daughter, Barbara survives incestual abuse as well as sexual assault by a pastor. As she began to open up about her assault, she discovered that she was not the only victim. She was empowered to come forward with other survivors and confronted her abuser, and ultimately, chose to forgive. Barbara found her purpose in helping other survivors and now co-hosts a talk radio show on child abuse.
You Never Deserve The Abuse
“You never deserve the abuse” is the message Andrea has for her Survivor Sisters after recounting her own abuse. As Andrea breaks her silence, she questions why she stayed and why those around her never spoke up about the abuse that they witnessed between her and her boyfriend. Thank you for your strength Andrea.
Rescue from my Prince Charming – Gaslighting, and the ‘Fog’ of Abuse
This survivor felt completely alone in what she thought was her ‘fairy tale’ romance. Without any reference, and new to dating, she struggled to identify healthy habits from abusive ones. She slowly realized that she was in an abusive relationship, and is working to free herself from it. We hope that she knows that she doesn’t need a Prince Charming. She has the power to be the heroine of her story
