Domestic abuse -- be it physical, emotional or verbal -- is pervasive in our culture. It happens every 15 seconds of every day, and to over one million women in the U.S. each year.*

Abuse can be like a fog over your life: It creeps in so slowly that you may not be aware of it encircling you. Once you realize you're in it, it can be hard to find your way out. But there are ways out. Many iVillagers are living proof of that:

"It's been five weeks since I left my abuser. I am going on with my life carefully but courageously -- it's hard to reinvent your life. To let go is to let go of a life so tragic but somehow miserably comfortable. I have not stopped loving him, but now I know it's okay to love myself more. I can't change him and I can't wait for him to change. It's time to change what I can change: me! Hooray for me!" --an iVillager on the Domestic Abuse: New Beginnings message board

"As my one month free of abuse approaches, I sat here thinking about all the little things I can do now. For instance: I can talk on the phone, have my friends over, stay on the computer as long as I want and do anything I want on it. I can LIVE now! Ah, freedom!" --an iVillager, on the Domestic Abuse: New Beginnings message board

The journey out of an abusive relationship back to a life of safety and well-being is not easy. It may be long and slow. To help you on your road to recovery, iVillage created this special area in partnership with the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV). If you're unsure if this area is for you, take a look at these signs of domestic abuse.