My name is Stefanie, I am 16 yrs old. My mother and I have been abused by my brother since I can remember. My brother is 19 years of age. He controls the house and controls the way it runs. All day every day. Day and night his friends are running in and out, smoking pot, dealing drugs. If my mother yells at him he will yell back for a while and then he uses force. Doing what he wants to get his way. I even think to say anything contradicting him unless my boyfriend is around otherwise I get punched, slapped, spit on, choked, anything that makes him feel as though he is in control of me. I won't let myself cry anymore. Not over him. Ever again. It hurts watching him destroy our household. I just want a home drug free, safe, and where you can hold a negotiating conversation without getting hit or worry about something of mine being destroyed by him,pawned or stolen. Most teenagers just want to run wild. They want to sneak out and defy there parents. I just ask for a clean and quiet place to study and hugs to come home to. At the most I wish I had a brother that loved me instead of one who takes metal bars over my back.

I cannot put 16 years of this into one pharagraph but if anyone who comes by this knows a way out or at least something I can do to feel safe in my own house please leave a messege. I do not know if many teens come here but if someone older or younger has a similar experience please do tell. I feel I am the only one. Stefanie

-- Anonymous, August 31, 2001