I have experienced emotional abuse. Instead of bruises, I was left with scars. I call them anger, fear, embarrassment, and feelings of powerlessness, just to name a few. These feelings have caused so much turmoil in my life, yet have empowered me to become the person I am today.
Born in the early 60s, I don’t suppose I was any different from others. My mother became an alcoholic, my father drank, and became the abuser. As a child growing up, I experienced things that a child should never hear, nor see.
I have experienced emotional abuse. Instead of bruises, I was left with scars. I call them anger, fear, embarrassment, and feelings of powerlessness, just to name a few. These feelings have caused so much turmoil in my life, yet have empowered me to become the person I am today.Born in the early 60s, I don’t suppose I was any different from others. My mother became an alcoholic, my father drank, and became the abuser. As a child growing up, I experienced things that a child should never hear, nor see.
Today, I feel that the abuse I suffered is also where I have gained my strength. It is in part, the reason I
fight against the abuse of women. It is the reason I am strong and proud. It is the reason I will never allow anyone
to treat me like that. It is the reason I stand with my brothers and sisters, fighting to help end what never
should have been.
Do I still carry these scars? Of course I do. Some things never go away. Yet I am determined to help put
an end to violence against women, children, and yes, even men. I will continue to fight against abuse. I will continue to help others fight against abuse, whether it is in our workplace, in our community, or in our own lives.
We are more powerful than we give ourselves credit for, and I believe that together, we can put an end to this violence. I’ll never stop fighting, not just for you, but for myself.
So, the reason I choose to help is perhaps a selfish one. It’s called my life. It could be anyone’s life. Your mother, your sister, your friend, yourself, but, aren’t we worth the fight? You bet we are.
As part of Connections' 'Why I Volunteer' series, UFCW Canada Local 1000A member Cathy Watson shares her personal story with our magazine on her volunteer work to help end violence against woman. Cathy is a steward from Stuart Parker’s YIG in North Bay and a member of the local union’s Women’s Issues Network (WIN). She, along with members of WIN and Local 1000A, collected several shoes for this year's Dec. 6 memorial, in remembrance of women who have lost their lives to violence. In addition, Cathy led her union brothers and sisters last year in a Silent Stand-In to raise awareness about violence against women.
