About

Abuse Journal, written by a survivor, helps you gain the wisdom to overcome abuse (adverse childhood experiences and domestic violence) and find freedom.

Welcome,

I’m L.M. Carleton, an abuse survivor, mother, and professional caregiver to older adults and the physically and mentally disabled for twenty-plus years.

I remember growing up in a dysfunctional family—the trauma of child sexual abuse and neglect and fearing domestic violence after leaving home at eighteen.

I understand how challenging it is to stop living in fear of an abuser when you feel trapped in a hopeless situation as anxiety grips the mind and anguish fills the heart.

I know it’s hard to talk about your secrets of abuse and the physical and mental trauma you suffered. You long to forget the worst day of your life, but emotional wounds remind you of afflictions.

Yes, overcoming the fear of exposing secrets and telling what happened is extremely difficult. However, the danger of keeping your abuse a secret is you carry the burdens of guilt and shame.

Wisdom to Overcome Abuse and Find Freedom

I’ve learned when you acknowledge the past, you gain insights into overcoming childhood adversity, domestic violence, and the freedom to change your life.

At forty-eight, after an unexpected encounter with an estranged, abusive husband on a dating website, I started a writing blog to release the anguish.

I began to reflect on the past and acknowledge the secrets or skeletons in the closet. Wrote an Open Letter to Parents to address childhood trauma and reflected on three and one-half years of domestic violence.

I cried out!

Lord, why do I always suffer?

He illuminated the darkness with wisdom to gain clarity for abusive behavior and understand ten reasons why relationships fail, why you need love and compassion to heal, and more.

I’ve learned humbling lessons about being an abuse victim, such as how to profit from suffering, which I share with you.

Life Writing topics include;

I’m writing a memoir, “The Secret Darkness: Overcoming Abuse and Finding Freedom,” in hopes you gain the courage to tell your story of abuse and find hope for a better life.

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Thank You,

L.M. Carleton, Abuse Survivor, Rescued by Grace