The bastard made a sign out of cardboard, labeling me with the word ‘SLUT’, and forced me to parade down the street carrying it. I was so mad, humiliated. All because I spoke to another man? I couldn’t believe how cruel he could be. After that, I was too ashamed to even leave the house. How dare he treat me like that? It was like he was trying to strip away everything. I won’t let him get away with it.
UNSEEN ECHOES - Objects of Domestic Abuse | Photography Project & Exhibition

Sign

The bastard made a sign out of cardboard, labeling me with the word ‘SLUT’, and forced me to parade down the street carrying it.

I didn’t want to. I fought him, begged him, but none of it mattered. He stood over me, sneering, waiting. “You want to act like a slut? Let’s make sure everyone knows.”

My hands shook as I gripped the edges of the sign, the cardboard rough against my fingertips. Every step down that street felt like a thousand needles piercing my skin.

People stared. Some laughed, some whispered, some just looked away, pretending they didn’t see. But I saw them. I felt every single pair of eyes burning into me.

I was so mad. Humiliated.

And all because I spoke to another man?

A simple conversation, nothing more. A polite exchange at the shop, a smile, a few words. But to him, that was betrayal. To him, that was enough.

I couldn’t believe how cruel he could be.

But I should have known.

After that, I was too ashamed to even leave the house. The thought of facing those same people again, of seeing their smirks, their judgment, their pity—I couldn’t do it.

And that’s what he wanted.

It was never just about punishing me. It was about making sure I stayed punished. About stripping away every bit of dignity, every bit of confidence, every bit of me.

But I won’t let him get away with it.

He wanted to break me.

But he’ll regret ever thinking he could.

share this story:

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
WhatsApp
Email

More stories

UNSEEN ECHOES - Objects of Domestic Abuse | Photography Project & Exhibition

He went away one weekend and he didn’t want me going out. So he took all my clothes. He took everything. He even emptied my underwear drawer.

I was left naked in the flat. I couldn’t even answer the door.

Read More
UNSEEN ECHOES - Objects of Domestic Abuse | Photography Project & Exhibition

He would make me drink, sometimes beer, other times something stronger, depending on his mood. I learned that even if I didn’t drink, he still got what he wanted.

Sometimes, it felt easier to just go along with it and numb myself, to be out of it rather than feel what he was doing.

Read More
UNSEEN ECHOES - Objects of Domestic Abuse | Photography Project & Exhibition

He would just sit there, glued to the TV screen. I tried to kiss him, but he didn’t even react. It was like I didn’t exist to him.

He made me feel invisible, unimportant, and unwanted.

Read More
UNSEEN ECHOES - Objects of Domestic Abuse | Photography Project & Exhibition

I called it my escape fund, tucked away at the back of my wardrobe, hidden behind my clothes. He never bothered to look there.

Any spare change I had went straight into my secret stash.

One day, I’d save up enough to break free, to find my own place away from him.

Read More
UNSEEN ECHOES - Objects of Domestic Abuse | Photography Project & Exhibition

I was out chilling with my mates when my phone rang. It was her, and she sounded really messed up, saying she’d hurt herself if I didn’t come back.

When I got back, I found her in the bathroom, knives lying there like some horror movie. It freaked me out big time.

After that, I felt like I had to stay close, like I was responsible for her. I couldn’t even hang out with my friends without worrying about what might happen when I wasn’t there.

Read More
UNSEEN ECHOES - Objects of Domestic Abuse | Photography Project & Exhibition

I would run and sit by the river. One day, I’ll be free, one way or another. Somewhere where nobody can hurt me.

Life is just too hard here. I don’t want to be here anymore.

I don’t want to be anywhere anymore.

Read More
Receive the latest news

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Exhibitions. Project Updates. Stories. Plus More.