I decide to leave my community and build myself a new spiritual circle.

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My experience:

I found it very challenging to be alone, but after a few months, I managed to find a new prayer group. The people there were very welcoming. One morning, I got a message from a friend I go to mass with. She told me that she received a message from my ex telling her why I left my old church. She told me that she doesn’t think I would still be welcome, because my behaviour didn’t align with the community’s values.

I’m shocked and enraged. What stories has he managed to tell about me now?

Explanation:

When victims decide to reclaim power over their lives, the abuser’s strategies of control can multiply and amplify one another.  An abuser may intentionally punish a victim by weaponizing members of the religious community to undermine her and maintain his domination over her.

Resources:

SOS Violence Conjugale 

This project was funded by the Government of Quebec/Secrétariat à la condition féminine.