Elena Foukes
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He took my confidence. I’ve reclaimed it now.  I’m finally happy for the first time in years.

5/5/2020

 
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​My husband sexually assaulted me on March 16th, 2019. Today marks the one year anniversary of my telling him that we were getting a divorce. It took me six weeks to convince myself and gather the courage to pursue divorce.
 
I described what happened to me to a therapist and she said it was physical and sexual assault. He attempted to force himself in me and he hit me when I resisted. After, he explained to me why it was my fault. I made him feel that he “was not a man”.  A week later he hit Pepper, our dog. It’s sad that it took him hitting our dog for me to truly take action. The week in between, I tried to figure things out. One should never have to google “should I stay with my husband if he hit me?”.
 
With therapy, I can now say that he sexually assaulted me prior to March - he would push inside when I told him to wait, and it hurt. Because being intimate with him hurt. I’m sharing this because this is a type of sexual assault that is not often shared.  
 
We were married for 5 years, 8 months and were together for 8. The previous 2-3 years were emotionally abusive.
 
For previous years, he diminished me in so many ways, including my femininity. He convinced me that his love was dependent on my weight, and that broke my mind. I could not process it. That’s not love. It’s not the kind of love I wanted. He even diminished my business decisions. He couldn't understand why my startup didn't have a successful exit in 2 years. Meanwile, he was making just above minimum wage as a journalist.
 
We went to couples counseling and he ignored the therapist’s feedback. We stopped going. We would talk about it again and again, and I felt carved out and in agony. He would stare at skinny young women and would deny it when I noticed. He took my confidence. I’ve reclaimed it now.  I’m finally happy for the first time in years.  
 
He decided to go to AA and to get a psych evaluation. He hoped for a bi-polar diagnosis, but the psychiatrist said he wasn’t, and in not so many words, said that he was just an asshole. That’s how Scott described it. I didn’t think it was the alcohol, but other things, such as self loathing and anger that surfaced when his inhibitions were lowered.
 
I told him I was going to file for divorce on May 5th and paperwork was filed on June 2nd. We agreed to our asset split in August, sold our condo in September, and the divorce was finalized on December 2nd.   Scott Lucas is a journalist and editor at Buzzfeed. 


​_______
All of this occurred  while I worked at Tesla full time,  supporting the Shanghai factory, inventory control, and  pilot builds for Model Y. It was not easy.  I'm thankful to the teams I was a part of for their understanding.  Early on in the divorce process, I would stare at my screen and want nothing more than to crawl under my desk. 
 

Darren Kelly link
5/5/2020 06:04:16 pm

Utility API is a phenomenal product it's helped thousands go solar and I certainly appreciate the support.

And you are a strong and brave women.

His time will come!

best phd dissertation writing services link
12/30/2020 12:54:22 am

I am deeply saddened to hear about what you went through in the hands of your husband. No man or woman should ever go through what you had to endure. I know it must have been tough trying to find a reason to live after what you experienced, but I am glad that you chose to fight for your right to live. I pray that no person will ever have to feel the pain that you felt. I am so proud of the woman you have become and I only wish all the best things in life for you.

Annie
5/9/2020 08:09:14 am

Thank you for your vulnerability and strength to share your story, Elena. I have so much respect for you as a woman and as a coworker. Wishing much love and healing upon you.

TruthMan
5/17/2020 07:31:59 pm

For richer or poorer? Talk down on how much money he makes.

In sickness and in health? Publicly disparage him for attending AA.

For someone so smart- why are you confused that if a wife gets fat and denies her husband sex; that it affects tour marriage? It takes two to tango and two to destroy a Marriage.

You should feel shame.

BIGLAW
5/17/2020 07:33:48 pm

LOL he should sue you for libel. Have fun trying to find another husband in your 30s.

Dharma king
5/17/2020 10:16:18 pm

We should not celebrate divorce. You seem to love humiliating your ex husband.

Why are you so into humiliation? You are causing more pain in this world.

Now you can serve Elon- who doesn’t value your safety.

Matthew Hirsch
5/27/2020 12:47:34 pm

Congratulations on finding happiness, and the courage to speak. I've always admired your leadership skills, Elena.

Truth hurts
7/1/2020 08:05:30 pm

This kind of smear campaign blog post only makes you look like the fool.

Saying Scott’s name and his current job title on a public blog and Facebook post as if you want people to know who he is and get after him is really inappropriate and immature. There’s a mature and appropriate way to handle things and this is not it. And after all, there’s two sides to every story.

I’m thinking about poor Scott and his family and how they wholeheartedly accepted you into their family. How they supported you even when things weren’t good. Regardless of how things went ended, the Lucas family cared for you a lot. And the way this article was presented was distasteful and not only attempts to make Scott look bad, but it makes you look really bad.

Also, stop reaching out to family and friends of Scott’s asking for advice and help with things. They don’t owe you anything after this crap. Move on!

Bryan Birsic
2/3/2021 08:03:28 pm

Your example is an inspiration and a source of strength for me. Thank you.

Apalled
5/12/2021 05:23:17 am

I’m disgusted by the bullying in the comments. Stay strong! Thanks for speaking up.


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  • About
    • About Elena
    • Professional Biography
    • Resources >
      • Climate Investing
      • Recipes >
        • Recipes
    • Event Archive >
      • Events
      • 2014 Event Archive
      • 2015 Event Archive
      • 2016 Event Archive
      • 2017 Event Archive
  • Writings
    • Writings
    • Resources / Favorite things
  • Offgrid
    • BoatLife
    • Vanlife
    • Mountaintop
    • Joshua Tree