A Silence That Screamed
She used to smile with her whole face—eyes that danced, laughter that filled a room. But over time, her light dimmed. I remember the way she’d sit across from me, her hands folded tightly in her lap, her voice barely above a whisper. She always came with him. He spoke for her, smiled for her, even laughed for her. Too charming, too polished. The kind of man people praise at dinner parties. But I saw it—the way her eyes darted to him before she spoke, the way she flinched when his hand moved too quickly, the way her makeup grew thicker with each visit.
One day, I intentionally asked him to go out to fetch her a drink. Alone with her ,she exhaled a breath she’d been holding for years. In that fragile moment, she broke down and told me everything. The bruises. The isolation. The constant apologies for things that weren’t her fault. “I feel like I’m always walking on eggshells,” she said. Her voice trembled, but her truth was steady. That day, we took the first step toward freedom. I connected her with a psychologist. But I still remember the weight of her silence. It had been screaming all along.
Unfolding in another setting there was a man whose name carried weight in boardrooms and headlines. To the world, he was accomplished, respected. But behind closed doors, he was unraveling. His wife’s words were weapons—sharp, calculated, relentless. “You’re a failure,” she’d sneer. “I settled for you. You ruined my life.” No bruises. No broken bones. Just a soul slowly eroded by contempt.
He invested his all into his wife and yet she always made him feel like a second fiddle, even prioritizing wayward small boys over his needs.
He came to join us one night, reeking of alcohol, his eyes bloodshot and hollow. “Guys,” he said, “I don’t know who I am anymore. I know there’s help, but I can’t be seen asking for it. What would people say?” His voice cracked under the weight of shame. He was a man imprisoned not by bars, but by expectations, pride, and fear. One of our friends challenged him saying; “My man, I hate to say this but you brought this onto yourself . How can you keep pouring so much into a childish, refusing to grow and manipulative woman without boundaries and think you’ll not be disrespected. It’s time to be the real stoic man and lead and if she refuses to follow, let go to protect your peace.
These are not isolated stories. They are echoes of a deeper epidemic—Intimate Partner Violence (IPV). It wears many masks: bruises, silence, sarcasm, manipulation, control. It doesn’t discriminate. It lives in mansions and in shacks, behind smiles and social media filters. It thrives in silence.
Reflectintrospection
IPV is not just a private matter—it’s a public wound. And healing begins with truth. Here’s why we must act:
Awareness is Power
When we learn to recognize the signs—controlling behaviors, emotional blackmail, isolation, gaslighting—we give ourselves and others the tools to break free.
Support is Sacred
Survivors don’t need judgment. They need safe spaces, listening ears, and unwavering belief. Sometimes, just one person saying “I believe you” can change everything.
Knowledge is Liberation
No one deserves to live in fear. No one deserves to be diminished. Understanding that abuse is never the victim’s fault is the first step toward reclaiming dignity.
Breaking the Cycle
It takes a village. We must educate our children, challenge toxic norms, and support the organizations doing the hard work on the front lines.
Healing is Possible
With therapy, community, and compassion, survivors can rebuild. Not just survive—but thrive. Love should never hurt. And healing is not only possible—it is a right.
Let’s be the generation that listens. That believes. That acts.
Let’s build a world where no one has to hide their pain behind a smile.
Where no one is too ashamed to ask for help.
Where silence is no longer the only language of suffering.
If you or someone you love is experiencing IPV, please reach out:
National Domestic Violence Hotline (Ghana): +233 30 274 3399
May we be the light that breaks the chains.
Serenity Prayer
Dear Lord,
In a world where too many suffer in silence, give us ears to hear the unspoken cries.
Grant us the courage to confront injustice, the tenderness to hold broken hearts, and the wisdom to act with love.
Let us be the hands that lift, the voices that defend, and the hearts that heal.
Amen.
