My abuser started grooming me when I was 17. We were married when I was 18. He was 30. There is absolutely a reason men prey on young women. I escaped after one year, but continued to be abused for the following 17 1/2 because by the time I left we already had a child. It didn't matter that he plead guilty to child and spouse abuse in court. They still felt it best that he be involved in my daughter's life. After all, at least he was honest, which shows a willingness to change.

I never even liked this man, let alone loved him. I felt sorry for him. His ex-wife was just so mean to him. It might have been because he had pulled her out of the shower and proceeded to kick her with his hiking boots on, and liked to suffocate her with a pillow when she "wouldn't shut up", and choked her on the regular (which, of course, I didn't find out about until after we were divorced). But yes, the poor man was simply a victim in his own life.

Great article. Sadly, too relatable to far too many.