Why Do You Stay?

Carly Lee's repeated exposure to childhood domestic violence at the hands of her own parent, deeply affected how she viewed the world and had a devastating impact on her emotional development and growth. As an adult she came to view control and fear as acceptable in a romantic relationship. This was her normal.



As a young adult Carly's own choices would lead her to repeat the patterns of becoming a victim of domestic violence. She was humiliated and embarrassed that her adult choices had allowed herself to become a victim. A tipping point would come in her life after experiencing broken bones for the second time from a second partner at the age of thirty.



Battered and broken but not defeated, Carly began looking inward to try and understand why she made the choices she made. In this poignant memoir, Carly Lee details her journey and the emotional work it took to overcome a cycle of abuse.



Her story offers insight to victims of domestic violence, friends and family members of victims, and any who wants to understand how one woman forged a path out of domestic violence. This is a journey about hope, healing, and creating a healthy life.