Nyssa’s home sits quietly by a beautiful lake in Callicoon, New York, reflects a calmness that contrasts with the turmoil she once endured. For over a decade, she lived in silence, trapped in an abusive relationship with her ex-partner, the father of her two children. Guilt and fear kept her from speaking out, believing that maintaining the family was her only responsibility.

But everything changed the day her son witnessed one of the violent episodes. That moment became the turning point. It was no longer just about her, it was about protecting her children from the cycle of abuse.

When I first met Nyssa, it was during a drive with her two teenage children. The bond between them was unmistakable: protective, loving, and respectful. I could see in her the same strength that had helped her break free from the past.

Today, Nyssa continues to live in the same house that once held the weight of her suffering. But she is no longer bound by the violence of her past. She has broken the cycle for herself and her children, reclaiming her strength and rebuilding her life, piece by piece.