It’s been a long road since I first posted.
Two years ago, I made the decision to lawyer up after my ex’s sister publicly slandered me calling me a liar, saying I faked everything, and trying to tear apart the credibility I had worked so hard to build.
At that point, I had already rebuilt my life. I was married, raising a beautiful child, running a nonprofit that helps women escape abuse and afford legal support. I spoke publicly about teen dating violence not to shame anyone, but to give my story purpose.
I never named names. I edited faces in old photos. I was careful. But when his family crossed the line again, I knew silence wasn’t protection anymore it was permission.
With the help of an incredible legal team and a mountain of documented evidence texts, emails, medical records we built a strong defamation case. My goal wasn’t revenge. It was to defend my truth and protect my name.
We settled before trial.
They didn’t admit fault, but they issued a written statement retracting the accusations, and they agreed to a non-disparagement clause going forward. The damage can’t be undone, but at least now I can breathe knowing I stood up for myself in the right way.
The experience was exhausting and painful, but it gave me something I didn’t know I still needed closure.
To anyone reading this who’s been called a liar for surviving: I see you. I believe you. And I hope you find the strength to fight for your peace, in whatever way that looks like for you.
I’m still standing. Still healing. Still helping other women do the same.
And finally I’m free.
Comments
Backup of the post’s body: It’s been a long road since I first posted.
Two years ago, I made the decision to lawyer up after my ex’s sister publicly slandered me calling me a liar, saying I faked everything, and trying to tear apart the credibility I had worked so hard to build.
At that point, I had already rebuilt my life. I was married, raising a beautiful child, running a nonprofit that helps women escape abuse and afford legal support. I spoke publicly about teen dating violence not to shame anyone, but to give my story purpose.
I never named names. I edited faces in old photos. I was careful. But when his family crossed the line again, I knew silence wasn’t protection anymore it was permission.
With the help of an incredible legal team and a mountain of documented evidence texts, emails, medical records we built a strong defamation case. My goal wasn’t revenge. It was to defend my truth and protect my name.
We settled before trial.
They didn’t admit fault, but they issued a written statement retracting the accusations, and they agreed to a non-disparagement clause going forward. The damage can’t be undone, but at least now I can breathe knowing I stood up for myself in the right way.
The experience was exhausting and painful, but it gave me something I didn’t know I still needed closure.
To anyone reading this who’s been called a liar for surviving: I see you. I believe you. And I hope you find the strength to fight for your peace, in whatever way that looks like for you.
I’m still standing. Still healing. Still helping other women do the same.
And finally I’m free.
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love that it wasn’t about revenge. it was about dignity and you won that. this post is why I never delete screenshots lmao
this honestly gave me so much hope. I genuinely want to see more survivors be able to speak out and with everything going on I was losing some faith. thank you for standing up for yourself and setting another amazing example for other survivors 🫶🏻
Proud of you OP.
OP, you are the Inspiration many will need to know that we are not what happens to us. We are what we do about it.
I divorced a physically violent and verbally abusive spouse.
The really interesting part of the day the divorce was granted, as I left the court house, It seemed a brighter day. An enormous weight seemed to lift from my body. I felt lighter.
By 2pm I felt positively happy.
By 5 pm, Glee hit. It felt joyful and light and happy.
By 6pm I was at the Hallmark store looking for divorce announcements. No more fear of him going ballistic.
I am glad you survived, too.
I’m proud of you.
I too got out of a violent relationship. It was a long time ago, and I heard that my abuser became homeless and died.
I don’t celebrate that he’s dead, but it was truly a relief to hear that I no longer had to look over my shoulder.
OP, you are seen, heard, and your experiences acknowledged. Proud that you stood up for yourself and happy you survived to stand tall on the other side.
Wishing all the happiness to come your way.
How do you get help when the ones abusing you are hacking your tech, accounts, impersonating you, and then potentially doing these things while stealing from you and keeping you trapped? What do i do then?
Why not go to trial OP?
I mean, you said ” a mountain of documented evidence texts, emails, medical records we built a strong defamation case.”
Seems like a slam dunk case with a “mountain” of evidence.
Still glad for you, sorry you had to go through it of course.
How much did it cost?
Wow, I am so proud of you.
I love people who come out of the fire carrying buckets of water for those still engulfed by flames.
That’s what you’re doing, and it is beautiful.
I remember you! I am so glad that you got the closure you needed.
You’re my hero! So proud of you OP!
I don’t understand, you have a solid case, why settle? When you won you could publicize the whole thing. Now you can’t. Help me understand?
Good for you! I wish more women had access to these types of resources to counter those ahs out there
First posted where? When? Saying what?
If you’re going to farm Karma don’t start your only post on a 4 day old account by claiming you posted a long time ago.
Such a vague bullshit post with absolutely nothing of substance to it. All that text to only say, “I sued my ex and won. Domestic violence bad.”
Can AI be free? Can poor creative writing characters be free? Can someone farming karma on Reddit actually be free?
You are such a good person. The way I would’ve turned them every which way but loose with that evidence, publicly, no less 🙂↕️😮💨 I’m working on it. ☺️ I wish you all the joy and peace you can handle and then some.
When a good girl gone bad. You showed them dust, they tucked tail. You mentioned it wasn’t about revenge for you, but girl, for me this was awesome to read. You ROCK.
OP says, “It’s been a long road since I first posted.”
Does anyone have a link to the original post that she’s referencing? It must be under a different username, or it was deleted because it doesn’t show up in her profile.
Congratulations to you. I have a completely different story and am unable to defend myself against a narcissist’s gaslighting. It isn’t anything as dire as what you went through but not having anyone believe me took on a life of its own until I finally just let go of trying. My point is there’s many different paths to healing and I am happy you got your story out there as being blamed for stuff when you’re actually the victim is so hard.
Oh I need the rest of this story like yesterday. The audacity some people have to dip and lie while you’re left picking up the pieces—and then having to go full legal just to get some damn accountability? You’re a whole superhero for sticking through all that. I hope the court hit them with something spicy.
Good for you for taking back control and defending yourself. Must’ve felt amazing to get that settlement. Hope his family keeps that non-disparagement clause in minds
Damn, good for you, closure and a legal W? That’s rarer than an honest ex. Proud of you, but also, f*** that whole family for real.
D- Try some new prompts.
Hey everyone. This isn’t a real story. OP is trying to karma farm with a ChatGPT story in which the prompt clearly requested the OP to sound brooding.
I’m so proud of you. Cheers to you, OP. ♥️