No More

Not every bruise leaves a mark, as violence is not always portrayed as the image of a fist.

Pointing at you, intimidating you, wanting to leave you powerless and afraid, offending you.

“You should be grateful”,

“Who else would love you?” are some of the other power game rules.

Then you feel doubtful, powerless and wondering:

“Is he right?”

“Am I overreacting?”

It starts like that, and then it goes further.

He edits your friends, your plans, your voice, and your self-worth.

And then you become the version he wrote for you.

You are seen as a “strong woman” and have been reminded that it could be much worse, and you should endure just a little longer for the sake of the love you once had for him, for your children, or your stability.

“He did not mean it”, “he was stressed,” “he didn’t hit you, it was only a push”.

Your heart is bruised, your self-worth.

And it doesn’t only happen to you.

It happens to the mother you see at school, picking up her kids.

To your neighbour who posts perfect vacation pictures on Instagram, while using make up to hide her marks.

In 2024 alone Luxembourg’s law enforcement intervened in 1,178 cases of domestic violence, according to a police report on gouvernement.lu

That amounts to nearly 100 a month.

Of those, 287 aggressors were expelled from the home.
In 81% of the cases the victim was a woman; in 87% the aggressor was a man.

Violence is not your destiny; it’s not a test of loyalty, sacrifice, or love.

Love never makes you feel small, never isolates you, offends you when it’s mad, plays power games, or rewrites who you are.

Violence steals your voice, and you forget what you sound like.

Deciding to leave, speak up, ask for help, and report it is the moment when you take back the reins and can write yourself a new story, a better one.

No more.

A woman is not a story to be corrected. She has her own voice and can speak for herself.

Written by Camelia Pavel