Archives: Témoignages

« For a long time, I had to erase any traces that I had been on this site. I now leave my words here
in the hope of helping other women.
After living together for 33 years, I decided to take the kids and leave. Enough with the criticism,
lying, hypocrisy, belittling, or threats. I was sick of simply existing; I wanted to live. He was so
controlling he even set up cameras and microphones and kept tabs on one of our daughter’s cell
phones. Now that we’ve left, we can finally breathe; we can finally live. I’M NOT AFRAID OF HIM
ANYMORE. Now, I just have to heal all the hurt he inflicted on me and the children, and then we
can fly away.
I’d like to thank the case workers. Thanks to you, we have come out stronger and better
equipped. We are regaining control over our lives. We felt safe at La Maison d’Ariane, and that
they really listened to us and gave good advice. They provide support and understand what
you’re going through. We no longer feel alone. They have supported us and taught us about our
rights so that we can better protect ourselves. »

« That day, without a scratch, my heart beating far too fast, I heard myself say over the phone: “It’s now or never.” They understood.
Courageous or desperate? Despite the cancer, an empty bank account and the COVID lockdown, I finally left what I had loved more than myself for ten years.

I was safe and accepted without judgment, but rather with calm, warmth,
smiles and… Purell. First, I was allowed to rest. With respect, tenderness, and plenty of laughs through the tears, I felt listened to, heard, acknowledged, informed, supported, encouraged, and guided.

The kind-hearted angels at La Maison d’Ariane knew and understood the secrets I was shamefully carrying in my heart. Afraid, tired and anxious, I did the right thing by opening up and trusting.

At the age of 56, after two years, I now know that I made the right choice. I’m slowly finding doors that I couldn’t see before because they were too far away.

You might think it’s not your place to say anything. You might even think that you’re the cause, that the violence is justified even though it’s gratuitous and intentional. Even if you are told you’re the violent one, it is up to you. No one deserves to be in this state. »

« After being married for 10 years, I left him because I wasn’t happy anymore and he had become angry and cold. That was the start of the tangible violence (harassment, intimidation, assault, damage). I lived far from my family and felt ashamed, so I didn’t talk about it. One day when I was shut in at home, I saw an ad for SOS VIOLENCE, which was my first connection to La Maison d’Ariane and the first helping hand extended to me. I met other women who were going through the same thing: I no longer felt alone.
Thanks to what I learned at La Maison d’Ariane and their support, I was able to better understand and protect myself. Four years later, I am still separated from this man. And although the threat is not gone, I am no longer ashamed and I am fighting to protect my children who continue to be exposed to their father’s “mood swings”. »

« I’ll never forget the day I freed myself from the control and power that my violent ex-husband had over me. For years I cried, trembled, and fell many times.

That day, I decided to stand up to him for the first and last time. I knocked on his door to pick up my daughter because he had not brought her back home as planned. I stood up straight and looked him right in the eye. Outwardly I seemed very calm, but on the inside my heart was nearly bursting out of my chest. He looked away first. He was the one who hunched his shoulders and could not hold my unwavering gaze. I’ve never had to write down what I said to him that day because it is imprinted in my memory and will be until the day I die.

Softly, I said to him: “No one is above the law. I don’t have the right to break the law, and you don’t have the right to break the law. I’m telling you that from now on, you will never again have control over my life, you will never again have power over my life. I am the one and only person who can decide what happens in my life. I’m not afraid of you anymore.” No matter how much he “lost it,” he couldn’t shake me.
I took my daughter by the shoulder, and we left. That day, an enormous weight was lifted from my shoulders. I was able to spread my wings and fly away! »

« Ariane: a thread that leads to autonomy. I came to La Maison d’Ariane in 1998 with my kids for our own protection and to rebuild our lives.
I was welcomed without judgment, given some reassuring coaching and the chance to participate in workshops that are still useful for making positive changes in my life. I overcame an ordeal thanks to the team at La Maison d’Ariane and still benefit from their support after so many years. This is the message of hope that I share with you
all. »