Editor’s note: The following article refers to spiritual concepts. Please read Lovefraud’s statement on Spiritual Recovery.

Forgive, as a word, and as an ideal, is very misunderstood in our world. Not only is the idea misunderstood, but the word itself is often intensely disliked.

The act of Forgiveness does not release the perpetrator from responsibility for their crimes, nor condone the behavior. Forgiveness is about letting go, a process that releases us from another’s destructive hold over our lives. It is not about accepting, trusting, or increasing future suffering. To the contrary, Forgiveness is simply releasing pain from the past in order to end future suffering.  Read more... (609 words, 0 images, estimated 2:26 mins reading time)

It’s been a funny old week for me. I am within spitting distance of completing a final piece of the jigsaw that releases me from my past – infuriatingly it’s still so close and yet so far. Over the past couple of years I’ve learned that some things just can’t be rushed. I’ve also learned that patience is indeed a virtue and that, contrary to the many messages I have been told throughout my life, I’ve realised that now I do possess it… in bucket loads! True, I still might kick and sulk a little when I’m required to demonstrate that particular skill – but there is no question. I can do it, and when necessary, it’s something that I’ve found can be exceptionally useful. Funny, don’t you think, since there are many times I can remember when I couldn’t possibly have imagined the value of patience!  Read more... (1615 words, 1 image, estimated 6:28 mins reading time)

Two women are dead, allegedly at the hands of their romantic partners. Both partners are currently on trial, and the cases were brought to my attention by Lovefraud readers. In the media accounts, I was struck by how these two cases illustrate a range of abusive behavior, from bumbling assault to possibly coldly calculated premeditated murder.

The first is the case of Yeardley Love, a University of Virginia lacrosse player who was found dead in her bed in the early hours of May 3, 2010. George Huguely V, also a lacrosse player, is charged in her murder.

The second case is that of Michelle Young, 29, of North Carolina. She was five months pregnant with her second child when she was found at home in a pool of blood on November 3, 2006. Her husband, Jason Young, is charged in the murder.  Read more... (1154 words, 0 images, estimated 4:37 mins reading time)

Editor’s note: Resource Perspectives features articles written by members of Lovefraud’s Professional Resources Guide. Rebecca Potter works as a licensed mental health counselor in West Palm Beach, Florida.

I’m every woman … It’s all in me …

By Rebecca Potter

Rebecca Potter profile in the Lovefraud Professional Resources Guide

Sadly, on February 11, 2012, the world lost another woman’s voice when Whitney Elizabeth Houston died in her hotel room. The press talked about her drug and alcohol use, her bizarre behavior, etc. Reporters briefly mentioned her tumultuous marriage. Did we lose another beautiful woman’s voice to the tragic, permanent, emotional and physical side effects of leaving an abusive marriage, and/or the struggle of trying to protect her young child from a dangerous man in the legal system?  Read more... (1038 words, 1 image, estimated 4:09 mins reading time)

Shannon Schmieder, a teacher assistant from Georgia, was sentenced to serve 20 years in prison and 20 years probation after pleading guilty to molesting a 14-year-old boy. She was a friend of the boy’s family.

Read: Ex-Teacher Asst.: Parents stunned, realizing woman no stranger, on Times-Herald.com.

Story suggested by a Lovefraud reader.

Editor’s note: The following was sent by a long-time Lovefraud reader who posts as “Aloha Traveler.”

February 16, 2012

Dear LF Readers,

I found this article below as I was cleaning up my computer files and thought I would submit it.

I wonder if anyone else has the experience of the “Old Me and New Me.” I hope you enjoy. See below.

Aloha

P.S. I left the Bad Man on July 3, 2005. So the below article has been hiding in the Aloha archives. :O)

* * * * *

Dear LoveFraud Readers,  Read more... (1179 words, 0 images, estimated 4:43 mins reading time)

In October 2003, Gabe Watson, and his bride, Tina Watson, were on their honeymoon in Australia when they went on a dive at the Great Barrier Reef. Tina didn’t survive, and Gabe was charged with murder. He pleaded guilty to manslaughter and served 18 months in an Australian prison. He now faces trial in Alabama. Read:

Trial of alleged ‘honeymoon killer’ Gabe Watson opens, on ABCNews.go.com.

Husband who ‘let wife drown’ in Australia scuba dive honeymoon horror shows up for murder trial with identical new wife in tow, on DailyMail.co.uk.

Story suggested by a Lovefraud reader.

A Pennsylvania woman met a guy online, fell for his stories, and got pregnant. She claims that he then conned her into giving him the child.

Read: Woman fights man she met online for baby, on Today.MSNBC.MSN.com.

Link supplied by a Lovefraud reader.

By Joyce Alexander, RNP (retired)

We have recently been discussing on Lovefraud the judicial system that is supposed to protect our children from abuse, even from abuse by their parents, who are supposed to love and protect them. The case of Josh Powell murdering his sons has brought this topic not only to the headlines, but to the front of our own thinking about psychopathic parents.

Of course, not all parents are loving, protective parents, as proven by Josh Powell’s recent murder of his two sons in a dramatic fashion, after possibly murdering their mother. There was ample evidence, I think, that Josh was violence prone, starting when he attacked his mother with a knife when he was a teenager. His wife’s testimony to her friends of his abuse before she disappeared is more evidence that Josh was violent. Violence against others, even if not directly shown to be against the children, should demonstrate that a person is not a good candidate to be a nurturing parent.  Read more... (1057 words, 0 images, estimated 4:14 mins reading time)

Ryan Brunn of Georgia was convicted of murdering a young girl, Jorelys Rivera, last December. After he was sentenced, he gave a three-hour interview to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Story and video:

Ryan Brunn police interview: Tape of Jorelys Rivera killer released, on HuffingtonPost.com.

Story suggested by a Lovefraud reader.