This book taught me so much. It taught me that I DO Not have to understand he batterer, I DO NOT have to make excuses for that person. I taught me that although I may feel alone in this I am unfourtionatly not alone in this and there are places to get the things I need, and there is a way out( if I find it fast enough) I learned that this was not my fault!!!! And it's ok that I "didn't just leave" because it was obvisouly NOT THAT EASY!! Or If i did leavet that wasn't good enough to just get away!I recommend this book for anyone that has, is , or knows someonethat has delt with domestic violence anytime lives!It helped me!!!!!