October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Read and share stories to honor survivors whose lives have been changed by domestic violence.

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Shantell E. Rock

As a domestic violence survivor, it can be very difficult to tell my story. However, I know that my story will help another person. I was in a relationship with a guy I thought was very attentive, affectionate and lovable — only to learn that those attributes were all to keep me in prison to his devices and narcissistic behavior.

When I no longer desired to be in a relationship with him, he posted compromising pictures that he took of me while I was sleeping, held me captive and aggressively stalked me. I was scared for my life because he had several weapons in his possession and threatened to kill me if I ever left.

I later learned that he was instructed by a previous judge while in another relationship to remove his guns, but he did not. He reminded me that he could locate me anytime, and I would never know when he would attack.

Having to prove that he was aggressively stalking and I was afraid for my life required many visits to the local magistrate and several court visits. But I later received a three-year restraining order for my kids and me. Thank God!

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