This is a really hard thing to talk about and I wish I didn't need to ask for help.

I'm getting out of a domestic abuse and domestic violence situation and i'm asking for help to get those that abused me out of my life.

I'm sharing my story on Instagram, on Mastodon, on Cohost, on my podcast and indirectly on YouTube because i couldn't see the abuse that i was dealing with until someone spoke up and said yeah, this is an abuse situation. (I'm not using other platforms because my abusers hang out in those places.)

I was verbally, physically, psychologically, and financially abused. I took a large hit in the pocketbook because I foolishly thought my abusers were my friends.

I couldn't recognize the signs of abuse in my life because i saw the hallmarks of abuse in theirs.. but did not make the connection that hurt people often hurt people.

I was gaslit by these people into thinking i was the problem, that i was doing things the wrong way or for the wrong reasons or at the wrong time or...

I kept wondering what i did wrong, why they were never happy with me, or more accurately why they were always so angry with me when i just thought i was doing what a good friend should be doing.

The money i'm hoping to raise is to help with the costs in breaking living arrangements, finding a new place, moving costs, and chewing through some of the credit card debt that was incurred because foolish me thought they were helping their friends.

I am not interested in revenge against my abusers. I just want them out of my life and that's where the money will go.

Anything in excess of what's needed to help me stabilize things since i'm still struggling to find work on top of everything else will be donated to local charities that specialize in helping domestic abuse victims.

Breakdown:

$1500 - estimated moving costs because it's winter and severe injury means i can barely lift anything

$1000 - security deposit money because i'm so drained

$2200 - monthly rent since i can't work and need help for at least one month

$6500 - paying off a credit card maxed out because of the financial abuse (I have three that were maxed, but I'm just focusing on paying off one)

$1300 - buffer just in case

I feel so awkward making this ask on Christmas, but it's been a week since the DA/DV reached a point where i had to go to hospital with worry that i had a head injury and a broken arm and only now, seven days later, do i feel anywhere close to safe enough to make this very uncomfortable ask.

Fortunately, as you can see from the photo, the arm isn't broken and my head is mostly intact, but i still have a lot of pain from the injuries sustained.

Thanks for any help you can give. I hope you have a joyous festive season and a fantastic new year.