I was married, and for much of my adult life have lived in the interior of BC. I discovered in my late thirties that I was a lesbian. Although I was married, I found myself attracted to a married neighbour down the street. I discovered many things about myself. My neighbour and I had a wonderful relationship for about three years, however, the breakup was horrible.

I had separated from my husband shortly after this relationship started. When her husband found out about us he was furious. When threatening her to end the relationship did not work, he started to threaten and harass me and my children. I think he believed the more he beat me, the more he could tell himself it wasn't true. His wife was not attracted to other women. During one of his attacks, he smacked me around to the point where the surgeon felt I would need an operation to close the hole in my eardrum. Although the doctor was very reassuring, when it came time to go to court, I heard him tell someone that he was there because "some dumb lesbian got herself beat up."

I regret my sons were forced to live with this fear and at times were called upon to help me out in my struggles to survive these attacks. I was stubborn and refused to move or back down, which I now know made the situation worse.

Yes the police were called and I am grateful they responded each and every time They would talk to me and go and talk to him and tell me nothing could be done. Even when a peace bond was placed on him, it didn't matter. He was still free to come onto my property and harass me and my family. I charged him several times with assault and the Crown always down played what had happened to me and my sons. In the end, the Judge had to decide who to believe, myself and my sons or the man who had been assaulting me because I was his wife's lover. Despite all the evidence, the Judge would say, "I don't know who to believe, so I am going to dismiss this case." WOW, he was free to continue. After the fourth trip to court, he (and his wife) moved two miles away. For several years after, he continued to stalk me.

But now this has been resolved. How - you might ask, by the police??

Hell no, the justice system certainly didn't help me.

Then how,? Well you see, as I got older and my attacker got older, so did my sons.

My sons had a talk with this man ...................... Now he leaves me alone...............