I worked for years in Domestic Violence, and I have heard many, many stories of abuse.  I think that educating people about Domestic Violence, and that there IS help and that people DO care about their safety, and the safety of their children is the most important thing we can do to stop the violence.  There is away out, and people around you will help find it.
I have heard this story in many variations from hundreds of women.  There is nothing like hearing a victim’s story, and that she safely got out, to give a victim of abuse the courage to begin breaking their own silence and to begin planning their own way out.