The mother of 5 children reports horror: My husband followed me with a knife, tried to blow me up

In Albania women are increasingly denouncing violence in their families. They seek court divorce and protection orders after many years of marriage and some children.

In today's material, we are bringing the history of Teuta, which has been violated by her husband for many years.
(Her name, age, and voice have been changed for security reasons.)

The 48-year-old Teuta, a mother of five, has just arrived from court, where she sought a divorce with her violent mate after 30 years of difficult marriage.

Her name and age may not be true, but the violence she regularly suffers in the family is a painful testimony to what happens every day behind the walls of the Albanian family's privacy.

He would curse me and hit me all the time. He followed me with a knife until I left home, on another occasion he tried to get me to fall into electricity and even threatened to throw out the window, opening her cana. I can't take as much as I've endured, and I've been hiding violence for many years, and I've only done it for children to grow them” Teuta said.

The alcoholic husband began physical and psychological violence after the first ten years of his marriage.

The Teuta endured and concealed this violence over 20 years in the hope that it would improve, but the last five years became unbearable and dangerous for her life.

Then she sought court divorce and help from the Community Centre “Today for the future”.
Her psychologists accompany her everywhere, while Teuta receives various treatments after the violence and anxiety she has suffered for nearly two decades.

Theta says that she now does not hold to the hope that her marriage can be saved, so she seeks divorce from her alcoholic bully, who also raised children in an environment of violence, reproach, uncertainty, and danger, since he too is seriously ill by alcohol - torn organs and takes a handful of drugs that he finds difficult to do without working.

In the communitary Centre “Today, for the future”, experts claim that although Teuta's drama is shocking, it is one that can be considered easy compared with dozens of other women and girls who seek help in conditions that are sometimes more severe.

Currently this year's 3600 convictions have been made, 2000 requests for defence orders, and 14 women have lost their lives only because of domestic violence.

“The Teuta case is just one of hundreds of events, hearing and helping civil society organisations as the Community Development Centre “Today for future” Daily suits are added in Tirana, Durres, Lezha, all the cities where there are social centres” Fabiola Egro, head of the Centre, said.

After divorce from the violent father of five of her children, Teuta has no plans for her future but only to get as far away from the man who has risked her life several times because she is offended and struck for years.

After that decision, she is again on a large road, without shelter, no work, no income, and no security for life that she had to give such a large family that she herself gave her life for three decades. / VOA/