Brogue, Pa. - When the Wilts of Brogue, York County, tied the knot in 1963, it was a dream come true for Bonnie.

"From a small child, I knew I wanted a family and I knew how I wanted it to be," Bonnie said.

But soon, Bonnie's dream of a fairy tale marriage turned into a nightmare when Fred became verbally and emotionally abusive.

"Just a lot of anger, a lot of explosiveness, a lot of blaming," said Bonnie. "Everything that was going wrong was my fault."

Fred was the pillar of the community, but now admits he was much different at home.

"I was abusive in my words and the way I would talk to her," said Fred. "I basically would not give her the respect that she needed."

After 28 years of suffering in silence,  Bonnie had had enough. She was ready to end the marriage.

"I was done," said Bonnie. "I said I don't have a marriage, and if I lose the marriage, fine. I don't have a marriage anyway," Bonnie said.

Bonnie confronted Fred. At first, he denied it then eventually realized the pain he was causing.

"I really was a bad father. I really was a bad husband. Unfortunately, we males can be very controlling, (and) that control can include anger," Fred  admitted.

The Wilts worked it out, and Bonnie started a support group called "Overcoming Powerlessness." The Wilts want women to get help and stop accepting the unacceptable.

"I hope they are able to stand up for themselves, take charge of their life and take back their power," Bonnie said.

"A woman needs to get the strength and the power to say 'Hey, I have choices and I need to seek help,'"  said Fred. For more inforation on the support group, go to www.overcomingpowerlessness.com.

 

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