"You did what you had to do in your situation." I'm sorry, but I CHOSE to do what I did because of FEAR, not because I "had to do" it. There are only two things we "have to do" in this Lifetime: pay taxes, and die.
What my children endured is not atypical in our current society. What they witnessed as their mother emerged as a Survivor was for their benefit as well as my own. What their choices are, today, are not my responsibility. I cannot change the past - therefore, I have no regrets. Yes, many unfortunate incidents occurred. No, I did not cower down to a man who was determined to own my soul.