This episode is Part 2 of Anne's interview with Vicki.
Part 1: Walking Away After 30 Years of Narcissistic Abuse
Part 2: This is How You Know It's Time to Leave (this episode)
Part 3: Here Are My Emotions in the Aftermath of Abuse
Every victim faces a unique moment when she has had enough, when she realizes, "It's time to leave."

Vicki shares her powerful story of liberating herself from an abusive marriage when she reached her own moment of realization. Vicki's story offers a beacon of hope for survivors facing similar challenges. Tune in to The BTR.ORG Podcast and read the full transcript below for more.
As You Prepare to Leave Your Abusive Marriage
Whether you've been married for days, weeks, months, or years, we want you to be safe as you prepare to leave your abusive marriage.

As you'll hear in Vicki's story, her abusive ex-husband reached new and terrifying heights of violence and intimidation when he realized that she was on the precipice of change. This is common in abuse scenarios.




Victims can prepare to safety leave an abusive relationship by:

* Creating a safety plan with a BTR.ORG coach or local domestic violence victim advocate
* Reaching out to safe folks and letting them know the plan, and ways to offer support
* Pack an emergency bag that is hidden and easily accessible in case the need arises for a quick exit

BTR.ORG Is Here For You
For those currently on the path to freedom, Vicki's story stands as a testament to resilience. It reinforces the message that leaving an abusive marriage is a courageous act, requiring careful planning, support systems, and a commitment to one's safety. Vicki's journey, serves as an inspiration for victims taking the first steps toward reclaiming their lives. You are not alone, and there is strength in breaking free. Consider attending a BTR.ORG Group Session today.
Full Transcript:
Anne (00:01):
Welcome to BTR.ORG. This is Anne.

Vicki is back on today's episode. We started her story last week, so if you didn't hear that, listen first and then join us here. Today we're talking about how Vicki did not have strategies for communicating with her abuser post-divorce. So many victims don't have these strategies, so please check out our Living Free Workshop. These safety strategies, thought strategies, communication strategies, boundary strategies, work, every listener to the podcast needs to take that workshop so you have the right idea about how to communicate safely and what to do.
The ever-changing goal posts of the abuser
(02:13):
When did you realize that all of your hard work and you know, all the things he had manipulated you to do that you didn't know that it wasn't working out like he said it was right. Like so an abuser will be like, well, if you would only do this, this, and this, everything would be good. And because they're liars, they always move the goalposts. So if he's like, you've gotta have dinner ready by five and you know, da da da, and then you do all the things and then he still acting terrible. And then he says, well, and you have to lose weight and you have to work out. And you know, I don't know all the things he says. There's never a time where he is like, oh good, yeah, you did do that. Okay, now I am happy. Now we're great. That never happens with an abuser.

Vicki (03:01):
No.
"I was like, 'why am I doing this?