“I keep the sunshield in my car on all the time, regardless of the weather, so people can’t see that I am blonde. Drivers become even more aggressive when they see a woman drive, if she is also blonde.”

“During the meetings with the management team, I always wear trousers, just to look like one of them. I don’t want them to see me as a woman; weak.”

“I didn’t tell them that we want a child and when I finally got pregnant, I kept my pregnancy secret until almost the 5th month. I was afraid that they would take me out of the project team.”

“I will give you a different phone number. Please don’t call me on the one from which I called you, it’s the office one and I wouldn’t want my colleagues to know I am going through such a shameful situation.”

“I knew from the beginning that he had an aggressive behavior, but I didn’t want to be alone. I really wanted a child. Now… now, all I want is to be alone again, to be able to sleep at night.”

“I’m scared to go home in the evening. I sit on a bench in the nearby park until I get cold.” “He fills the bathtub with water and keeps my head underwater until I admit to cheating on him.” … “You know, he… he can no longer…” … “but I love him anyway. He’s the only man I’ve ever been with.” “I am not cheating on him, I know him since I was 16 years old.  He is still the one I love, I don’t see any other men.”

“If you knew him…”, she said looking out of the window and smiling, “he is the soul of all parties, he’s full of life. But he has these moments, sometimes. He doesn’t hit me badly. I know he doesn’t want to hurt me, but he can’t help himself. He’s mad at life. And he’s been through a lot.” … “Will he go to jail? I would’t want to hurt him.”

“He never hits me in the face. Nothing is visible through the clothes. He comes to pick me up from work every day, and jokes around with my colleagues. Everybody likes him.” “The only one who knows is  my mother. I could’t tell anyone because no one would believe me. They would say I’m crazy.”

“I just wanted to talk to someone. My husband is… an important person.” She raises her head and looks into my eyes, “he is the president of… I can’t tell you. I don’t want to cause you any troubles.” She starts crying. “Do you think such people will ever pay for their deeds?”

“I am punished for my own good. He wants me to evolve, to be a better person. It’s not what you think.”

For some of these stories, we’ve obtained a restraining order.