Dear beautiful,

I have been in your shoes before. I escaped because I grew the strength to. I was in a relationship where he seemed like the perfect man. Everything was great until I met his real side. I will not get into detail, but there are few things you should know. I also was threatened. He made feel low about myself. He used guilt to keep me around. He harassed me. Post-break-up, he was still an issue in my life. From high school, going into college, four years is a long time.

Every year, around 4,000 women die because of an abusive relationship. Around every 75 percent of women murdered, is because of abuse. I know the relationship can be great at first, and he can seem like the perfect guy, but once the threats and abuse enter the relationship, it'll only get worse. The more he takes advantage of you, the only thing you will hold onto is hope. Hope that he will change, hope that he won't treat you like an animal. Hope that will stop manipulating you.You should not hold onto hope, you need to hold onto your worth. Grow strength, and leave him. Do not fear him, you are not alone. There are resources out there, people who will help keep you safe. This man can ruin your self-esteem, he can even end your life. He has no right to do that, so don't let him. You are in control of your life, a woman can be just as strong as a man with the right resources.

Please leave him. When you leave him, it'll be hard. He'll beg to be a part of your life again. He'll say he's sorry, and that he will change. There will be tears, there will be heartbreak. But the abuse will go away. The bruises will heal. You will feel beautiful again. And maybe one day, someone will treat you for the value that you're worth. What is important is your safety and well-being, and your self-love. You can leave because he does not own you. His consequences aren't yours. Release yourself from the negativity in your life.

From a survivor of an abusive relationship,

The one who got away and knows you can too.