Silencing the survivor while the ex plays abroad

Actions speak louder than words

One friend, watching from afar, dared to say, “There are two sides to every story,” even though it was glaringly obvious that the father had left the country and hidden his whereabouts to anyone directly connected to his family on all technology. It wasn’t long before he cottoned on and hid his living situation entirely for four years and counting.

words cut deeper than actions

Those words cut like a knife. They knew how extravagant and volatile he already was, and saw me forced to face the public post his disappearance in the area where he was born. Actions speak louder than words, and in this case, silence spoke volumes.

the cost of turning a blind eye

The inaction of friends and acquaintances can leave some feeling vulnerable, highlighting how social denial and seemingly harmless throwaway remarks can compound the risk for survivors and their children. Speaking out is not being difficult; it’s calling out abusive behaviour.