What a great post -- it's really helpful of you to share your perspective, your experience and your success in getting through this very hard and scary transition. I recently had a fried staying with me who had left her partner due to domestic violence and emotional abuse issues. She had much the same experience as you; it was really amazing (miraculous) how the more she shared her truth and asked for help, the more help she found and was offered. Good luck and god bless -- freya