Hello. My name is Justin Mayfield. I have created this site because the effects that domestic violence has on children is something that is very close to me. I grew up in Dallas, Texas. We had a very normal family (from the outside looking in). My real father was a physical and mental abuser. He beat my mom for 14 years. It is a lifestyle that I grew up in until I was around nine years old. Of coarse, the memories are still with me today. We lived on the run for many years of my life, packing up what we could fit in a van in the middle of the night. Making all new friends at the next place and trying not to let anyone know why "I'm the NEW guy". I was very ashamed of my past. It took many years to really understand that millions have gone through (or are going through) the same thing.

I later came to grasps with what I've seen and heard and decided that I wanted to help other kids that are in the situation that I once was in. I wasn't a big fan of opening up to the counseling sessions because I didn't feel that they could relate to me and what I've been through. Remember, I didn't think that it was as big of a problem as it is (I was young). The way that I thought that I could help is to spend time at the local Woman's Safe Home. It was incredibly hard. Still is. But, I go and share my story with the women that have gone through domestic violence. I wanted them to see that they were doing the right thing by leaving. That staying just so the kids would have their "father" wasn't the right move. It hurts the children in the long run because in my opinion, it instills all the wrong values and morals. After I would get finished speaking, I would open the floor up for questions. Let me tell you, I wasn't ready for that. I spoke about the things that I was getting comfortable talking about and nothing else. Well, the questions really made me open up. Extremely hard for someone that has bottled it up for so long. Many of the questions that I receive every time I go and speak are, "How did your mother keep you from hating her for ripping you away from your real dad?" As the question kept coming up... I realized this is a major issue.

So, the purpose of this website has dual meaning. It hopefully gives hope to those kids that have been in this situation to use it as a positive building block in their life. Use this positive building block to better their life and to break the cycle of violence. And most importantly, I wanted to create a community for victims of domestic violence. I wanted a place where people could go and speak, anonymously, without being judged. Get advice, or just have someone to vent to. Thank you for visiting my site and I REALLY hope that this site can help change just 1 person's life. If so, it is worth every penny and hour invested. Thank you again and good luck with everything you may face in life.