Trigger warning: The poem featured in this month's blog is from the perspective of a person in an abusive situation. It's dedicated to all those who have ever faced the dilemma of how to deal with it.

You might think the obvious answer is "get out, any way you can", but for those of us who have been there, we know first hand that this so called "obvious" answer is not as simple as it seems. And the options we have may offer little to know assistance in keeping us, or those we love who are also threatened, safe.

If you choose to read it, please do so with an open heart, and compassion. You cannot know the "right thing" for someone to do, unless YOU are the one walking along that very path yourself. And then the answer you might come up with, will still only apply to your situation.

And if you are in an abusive situation, I see you, I hear you, I love you, and you matter. Please believe that you are worth fighting for and give yourself permission to get out - any way you can.