I'm 15 years old and I think my step-father is emotionally abusing me. Since I was about 7 (my mother and my stepfather married when i was 6) my step-dad has called me some unbelieveable names and accused/blamed me for everything that goes wrong. He waits until my mother leaves or is out of the room to yell or call me a name. He won't give me any freedom, and says I don't do anything to help him or my mom. He blames me for the problems my mom and him are having, and lately he won't even speak to me unless it is to give orders. He also slings things when he gets mad. He threatens to "knock my teeth down my throat" or to "smack my a$$ silly". I think this is also starting to affect my health. Recently things have gotten worse, and I can't sleep because of fear. I've lost a lot of weight and I can't sit still. I even jump just when I hear him cough. Am I wrong in thinking there is something wrong? What can I do?

-- Anonymous, November 21, 2002

Answers

you are right. you should tell your mom

-- Anonymous, December 10, 2002

something is wrong you can be sure of that. Families don't act that way. It sound like you have a lot of the signs of abuse, you need to get help. It's not your fault, you sound like a great person. You just need to fight and claw your way out of this. Talk to a councilor it may be hard to do or uncomfortable, but do it. You should do it as quickly as possible. You may be able to get into a safehouse. Don't be afarid of leaving your possesions behind are they worth all that pain. No, there not. I want you to be safe and I want you to brake down these walls and don't look back. If you love your mom thats great but don't feel obligated to love your step father. Don't be scared of him he's just a person and you have 911! :) Angie 14

-- Anonymous, December 22, 2002

He sounds dangerous/definitely abusive. You have done nothing to deserve this-no one does deserve that kind of treatment. Please get to a safe place right away-call your mom and let her know what has been happening and why you can't be there anymore. A safehouse would probably know what legal steps for you to take to not be put in that same situation again. I hope something of what I said helped. Kerry

-- Anonymous, January 15, 2003

I disagree, calling someone names does not necessarily amount to emotional abuse. My parents used to call me names all the time and always yell that they were gonna "beat me black and blue" but they never did, they were just trying to get me to behave.

Unless he actually hits you I don't think you have anything to worry about, and I believe you are just exagerating when you say you're afraid to sleep.

-- Anonymous, May 27, 2003