“He had a lot of anger issues and used to hit my mom a lot."

Trigger Warning: The following narrative contains content related to experiences of Gender-Based Violence (GBV).

Imaara stands as a beacon of resilience, founded by survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) for survivors. Every aspect of our NGO is crafted with the deep understanding that only those who have endured the harrowing journey of survival truly comprehend its nuances. From our programs to our support networks, we are driven by the unwavering commitment to empower fellow survivors. Each story shared within our community is a testament to the strength and courage that resides within every survivor. Together, we create a safe space where voices silenced by fear and shame are given power. Our mission is not merely to offer aid but to ignite a spark of hope in the hearts of those who have felt the darkest depths of despair. In this sanctuary of understanding and solidarity, survivors find solace, healing, and the unwavering belief that they are not defined by their past traumas, but by the strength it took to survive them.

The Words of an Anonymous Survivor

Growing up, I had really strict parents. My dad was emotionally stunted, and my mom was diagnosed with schizophrenia. He had a lot of anger issues and used to hit my mom a lot. If I talked back, I’d get hit too.

My mom was a really nice person at one point. I’m 25 now, but I think I first started noticing that she wasn’t okay around 4th or 5th grade. Looking back, maybe she was already falling sick, or maybe that was just when I started to understand it. It’s weird I don’t really remember how she used to be. And to think there’s a high chance that my dad’s abuse caused her mental health issues? That’s messed up.

My brother has a lot of anger issues too, probably from growing up around my dad. So yeah, I was getting hit by both of them. I tried telling them that it wasn’t okay to raise their hands at me, but they never listened.

At some point, I told a friend about all this, and he suggested I leave the house and ignore their calls for a few days. I couldn’t do that because my mom would freak out, so I decided to do it just for one day. My dad had no idea where I was and was calling all my friends trying to find me. By the end of the day, I came back home and texted in our family group: It is not okay to raise your hand at me.

That was in 2022. And that was the last time they ever hit me.

I don’t know if they stopped because my dad was embarrassed that my friends knew why I left, or if he actually realized what he was doing was wrong. I guess I’ll never know.