"I have lived so long this way, I don't know how to act differently. Every day I think to myself, 'I am not going to let him dominate the household tonight. If something happens, I am going to ask him about it and not back down.' But I don't know how to stand up to him. I am a peacekeeper." --an iVillager, on the Recognizing and Dealing with Domestic Abuse message board

The key to an abuser's power is control. A victim's self-esteem is chipped away, leaving fear, anger, confusion and dependency; getting through each day -- each hour -- is a challenge. When these are coupled with danger, escape can seem impossible. It is not.

Simply by recognizing your situation and seeking help, you are on the road to recovery. Here are more resources to help you:

• Use this worksheet to create a safety plan.
• Get a Financial Plan of Action.
• You are not alone in your experience -- meet more women in your situation.
• Diane Schwartz, author of Whose Face Is in the Mirror? The Story of One Woman's Journey from the Nightmare of Domestic Abuse to True Healing, wrote this piece about getting out of the victim role.