Leaving: How I Set Myself Free from an Abusive Marriage

(Paperback)

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Raised by two loving parents in New Delhi, India, Kanchan Bhaskar has always been taught that marriage means companionship, tenderness, and mutual respectso when she enters into an arranged marriage, this is the kind of partnership she anticipates with her new, seemingly wonderful, husband. But after they marry, she quickly discovers that his warmth is deceptivethat the man beneath the bright, charming faade is actually a narcissistic, alcoholic, and violent man.

Trapped in a nightmare, Kanchan pleads with her husband to seek help for his issues, but he refuses. Meanwhile, Indian law is not on her side, and as the years pass, she finds herself with three children to protectthree children she fears she will lose custody of if she leaves. Almost overnight, she finds herself transformed into a tigress who will do whatever it takes to protect her cubs, and she becomes determined to free them from their toxic father. But its not until many years later, when the family of five moves from India to the United States, that Kanchan is presented with a real opportunity to leave himand she takes it.

Chronicling Kanchans gradual climb out of the abyss, little by little, day by day, Leaving is the empowering story of howbuoyed by her deep faith in a higher power and single-minded in her determination to protect her children bestshe fought relentlessly to build a ramp toward freedom from her abuser. In this memoir, Kanchan clearly lays out the tools and methods she utilized in her pursuit of liberationand reveals how belief in self and belief in the Universe can not only be weapons of escape but also beautiful foundations for a triumphant, purpose-driven life.

Reviews

A gripping story of one womans self-emancipation from marital despotism.
Kirkus Reviews

Through Bhaskar, we learn that while there are cultural differences from country to country, the effects of psychological and physical abuse are the sameas is the abuse cycle. She clearly shows the role denial has in abuse, answering the questions, Why doesnt she leave and Why does she go back Even after a woman has escaped her abuser, emotional scars must be healedand it can take a very long time to recover. This is a detailed journey, taking Bhaskar from a life of fear and pain to one of success and fulfillment.
Karen E Lee, retired clinical psychologist and author ofThe Full Catastrophe: A Memoir

It takes immense courage to leave an abusive relationship. Kanchan Bhaskars memoir is an easy-to-read roadmap from leaving to recovery and thriving. Her compelling story equips the reader with the means and grit required to rekindle a healthy relationship with Self and others.
Pat Davenport, CEO of A Safe Place

Author Bio

Kanchan Bhaskar was born and brought up in New Delhi, India. She holds a masters degree in social work from Delhi University, and a postgraduate certificate in personnel management and industrial relations. She moved to the US in 2000; after divorcing her husband in 2003, she lived in Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and Southern California before moving to Chicago, Illinois. She works in the corporate world, mentoring, counselling, and coaching employees at all levels in the industry. She is also now a certified advocate for domestic violence victims in the state of Illinois and is a volunteer speaker, mentor, and coach for victims and survivors. Kanchan is blessed with three loving children, a daughter and twin boys, who are well settled in their lives. Her Maltipoo, Fifi, is her companion and the love of her life. She currently resides in Chicago.