Woman reveals she's been living in abusive relationship that started days after her wedding

A US woman has opened up for the first time about the abuse she allegedly suffered at the hands of her husband.

Hannah Hollander, 24, says she kept silent for years because she never realised what was happening to her was classified as domestic violence.

She was in denial and stayed silent¡ªthat is, until February, when Hannah decided to reveal the truth about her marriage.

Her story, written in a lengthy Facebook post, was shared more than 90k times and went viral within days.

"I only share this because I wish I knew back then what I know now," Hannah writes in the post.

"And if I can educate one woman on abuse, it will be worth it."

She begins by admitting that days after their wedding, her husband told her he wanted a divorce.

"I would hear it countless times after that, but I was committed," she writes.

"This was the guy who treated me, told me how amazing I was, told me about the extravagant life he wanted to build together. It was the guy my parents and family fell in love with. It was the guy who said he wanted to provide for me, who wrote me long letters and sent flowers.

"And after every curse, every name-call, every shove, I believed it would just get better. This wasn¡¯t who he was, I believed. 'Marriage is really hard,' I was told, 'you just have to stick it through, it gets better.' And I was committed."

But the abuse escalated and Hannah explained how her husband's behaviour was impacting on their relationship.

"I suggested we get tattoo rings so he could no longer take it off and throw it when he was angry. I always chose to drive, just in case we got in an argument in the car. I went to counseling so that I could figure out how to contain his anger by using 'I' statements and apologising first.

"I painted the walls and doors he punched. I cleaned up the shards of the mirror he broke. I stopped asking him to do things. I stopped interrupting him. I let him tell the stories. I laughed when he made mean jokes about me because he was 'just joking'."

Hannah stayed in the marriage for just over three years.

"For several months I¡¯ve been angry. Angry I was never educated on what abuse is. Angry I hadn¡¯t seen signs,¡± she continues.

"Angry that for three years I believed I wasn¡¯t being abused, because 'abused people end up in hospitals.'

"After I left, I learned that 1 in 3 women will be victims of domestic violence from an intimate partner in their lifetime. ONE IN THREE. Many of whom will stay in these relationships for many years.

"It¡¯s time to start educating our daughters on what abuse actually is."

Due to the overwhelming response she received, Hannah decided to start a Facebook group where victims of abuse could share their stories. In just two weeks the closed group, Speak Your Truth, has more than 11k members.

"If he calls you names like b***h and c**t, that¡¯s not normal, it¡¯s abuse," Hannah writes.

"If he blames you for everything and is not taking responsibility for his own actions, that¡¯s not normal, it¡¯s manipulation and abuse.

"If he blocks you with his body or pushes you, even if you aren¡¯t hurt, that¡¯s not normal, it¡¯s abuse.

"I know now, why women stay in these relationships. I know now, why women keep their secrets and hide their bruises. I know now, why women never press charges for sexual assault or don¡¯t come forward for many years."

If you or someone you know needs help, call 1800RESPECT or visit https://www.whiteribbon.org.au/