Hei alle sammen!

If you have been following my blog posts, you know that I had an interview with an online newspaper. In that interview, it was mentioned that I was witnessed domestic violence.

This is the story.

 Photo: John Arvid Johnsen 

As a girl growing up, I was exposed to things that children shouldn’t be exposed to. I saw things that I shouldn’t have seen at the age of 7 or maybe younger. Once in 2001, I had to run the entire way home from school because of the Second civil war in Liberia. I almost got hit by a strayed bullet during that civil war.

And with everything that I, unfortunately, went through or witnessed; the memories from domestic violence is one of two things that I will never forget in this lifetime.

It all started as a normal disagreement like every other couple, well so I thought. Then it escalated to arguing every Sunday morning while we all were getting ready for church. All of this happenings was “behind” my back of course because I was a child. But parents or guardians always forget that kids start to pick up on things from a certain age, they know when something is wrong without you even telling them. Out of curiosity, I took shower way faster than usual one faithful Sunday. That is when I came face to face with has been going on. Why most Sundays, she had a bruise somewhere on her body that she tries to hide.

Fast forward, to two years or so later, it got worse. I was home one late evening with one of my cousins and an uncle when we heard the noise from the community. We decided to find out what the noise was about, but to our uttermost surprise, the person laying on the ground bleeding was our family; the person who plays different roles in our lives. There I was, helpless, didn’t have the slightest clue how to help a woman who could do anything to make sure we are happy and safe.  The bleeding was caused by her getting dragged by her hair from the junction (where the taxis stops) all the way home. His “excuse” this time was; she’s cheating on him because he saw a message in her phone from a number saved with a heart!.

She was lucky to survive that beating and I guess that was the last beating she could take. She told us to pack our things the next day when he wasn’t around, and we left. I am really glad that she was strong to leave, and seek the help she needed.  

There, at that moment, I vowed to myself that I will never let a man put his hand (s) on me twice. No matter who he is or how much I care about him.

Take it from me, if a man or woman hits you once, and you do nothing he or she automatically thinks that hitting you or anyone else is ‘’okay’’. Domestic violence leaves the victim and those (mostly kids) who witnessed it, scarred for life but that is a story for another day. Just by hearing the person’s footsteps, scares you. No one should ever live through that!

The goal is to be that voice, give the help that I did not get as a kid, to kids living in homes with domestic violence. Kids who witness it need as much help as the victim. I want to be able to encourage victims and kids to speak up no matter the circumstance or aftermath.

 Photo: John Arvid Johnsen

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