My name is Ishaunna Gully, and for a long time, I thought my story would end in silence.
Here are my thoughts, but please read this article and watch the video about how I and Jamecca Jones are working together and sharing out stories about domestic violence and how we survived.
I was young—only 20 years old—when my life changed forever because of domestic violence. What began as a relationship I believed in slowly turned into something dangerous. Like many people, I ignored warning signs, made excuses, and hoped things would get better. I didn’t realize how much control and fear had taken hold until it almost cost me everything.
I survived an act of violence that left lasting physical and emotional scars. Recovery was not quick, and it was not easy. There were moments when I felt broken, unsure of who I was or who I could become. But even in the darkest moments, I knew one thing: I was still here for a reason.
Turning Pain Into Purpose
Survival alone wasn’t enough for me. I didn’t want my story to end with what happened to me—I wanted it to reflect what I chose to do after.
Healing meant rebuilding my confidence, my faith, and my voice. I went back to school. I began speaking openly about domestic violence. And eventually, I founded Take A Stand No More Consultants, a platform dedicated to education, prevention, and empowerment. Today, I work with youth, host summits, and advocate for people who feel trapped in toxic relationships—just like I once did.
One of the most powerful lessons I’ve learned is that abuse doesn’t always start with bruises. It often begins with control, isolation, jealousy, and emotional manipulation. If I can help even one person recognize those signs early and choose safety, then my survival means something bigger than me.
You Are Not Weak for Staying—and You Are Brave for Leaving
I want to be clear about something: people don’t stay in abusive relationships because they are weak. They stay because they hope, they love, they fear, and sometimes they simply don’t see a way out.
Leaving is often the most dangerous and difficult step, which is why support matters. No one should have to navigate that moment alone. There are advocates, organizations, and people who care—every day of the year, not just during awareness months.
Why I Share My Story
I share my story because silence protects abuse—but truth creates freedom.
I stand alongside other survivors, like my sister in strength Jamecca Jones, not as victims, but as living proof that life after violence is possible. Our journeys look different, but our mission is the same: to remind others that their lives matter, their voices matter, and their futures are still waiting for them.
If you’re reading this and you’re unsure about your relationship, listen to that quiet voice inside you. If you’re scared, reach out. If you feel stuck, know that help exists. And if you’ve survived—like me—know that your story has power.
I am not defined by what happened to me.
I am defined by how I rose.
And so can you.