When Beth arrived at the shelter, her first words were: “I’m not sure if I should be here, I don’t know if what I experienced is abuse.” The uncertainty lingered in her voice that she would go on to share. Beth spoke quietly about how, day after day, her partner called her names, words that gradually eroded at her self-esteem, leaving invisible scars. She described the yelling, the constant barrage of criticism, and how every argument left her feeling small and powerless. Even the most ordinary routines of her life were controlled; she never had access to her bank account, relying on her partner for every financial decision. “He has not hit me, but living like this is unbearable,” she admitted.

During her stay at the shelter, Beth learned that what she experienced was in fact verbal and financial abuse. Through gentle conversations with counsellors, she learned that what she had endured was indeed verbal and financial abuse, forms of harm that, though often more difficult to name, can be just as devastating as physical violence. Each day brought small but meaningful steps toward understanding and reclaiming her sense of self. She joined support groups, finding comfort in shared stories and the camaraderie of those who truly understood. In the quiet moments between sessions, Beth found herself reflecting on the years she spent minimizing her pain, questioning whether her suffering was “enough” to warrant help.