Ladies what a wonderful subject Anno, we the victims of abuse have not one thing to feel ashamed of, we were the victims, not the abuser. We were also the one finally strong enough to put an end to our suffering...Do not ever feel ashamed or alone. Some of us, more than you might imagine have been absed either mentally or physially by some male "coward". Its we who have broken away that can help heal those still being victimized by their cowardly companions, just seeing that we survived.....I believe sharing our past is vital as we never know how maybe just one sentence we speak will help another woman break away and put an end her torment...I wasn't slapped or punched but sometimes being lied to constantly, cheated on or mentally tortured can be nearly as bad. I don't trust men anymore and unfortunately my suspicions have been right on enough since my divorce, that I no longer care to be bothered. I prefer my own company or my girlfriends to any mans....