Author shares her experience with abuse: ‘Writing it, I had to relive it’

About one woman is killed by her partner in Canada every six days.

Domestic abuse rates in Canada are staggering.

Janet Johnstone knows this information by experience – and she has shared her story in “The Web,” a non-fiction book originally published in 2015.

“It did take me four years to write the book ... Writing it, I had to relive it and that was hard on me,” said Johnstone. “I would work on it for awhile and then put it away for awhile and then start again.

“Even though I have written it I cannot read it. It would be reliving it over again and I think I’ll pass on that now. So there are typing mistakes but I felt that it was more important for the story to get out than it was for my typing skills.”

Johnstone is returning to where she was born, for a book signing at the Parrsboro Library, today and Saturday.

“It is very important to me to let people know that I have gone through it and survived,” she said. “I have gone from living in my car to running my own business and owning my own home. It has been a long journey for me. If I can do it others can, too.”

And people across the country are taking notice of Johnstone’s story of strength and resilience – even getting an endorsement from Sophie Trudeau, who is an advocate for ending violence against women.

“I had heard about Sophie Trudeau and how she supported women’s groups ... I decided to send her the book one day. So I packaged it up and mailed it off to 24 Sussex Drive,” said Johnstone. “I did not think I would ever hear back from her. I was shocked about a month later I got a letter from her. She started off typing it and then the last half of the letter is actually hand-written.”

The letter encouraged Johnstone to continue sharing her book, and her story, with others.

“I was very touched that she would take the time to write to me the words of encouragement,” said Johnstone.

This story was Johnstone’s first book, and she’s working on two more; one book will be a compilation of true, funny stories that she has had submitted to her.

The second book is another true story about a couple from Parrsboro and their hidden love affair.

“I am the product of that love affair and found out about it only after my mother had passed away,” said Johnstone, who was raised in Parrsboro by a single mother. “They stayed in touch and in love the rest of their lives as I have read their letters to each other.”

Johnstone — who goes by the pen name J.J. Johnstone — is happy to have written her story and is looking forward to the next two. She also sells paintings and wall hangings, and donates a portion of the sales to the CNIB since being diagnosed with glaucoma.

Her three children have recovered from the childhood abuse and are thriving as a doctor – who has overcome a bout with brain cancer – a construction worker, and a writer.

“That means everything to me,” said Johnstone. “To know what they have gone through and the struggles they have faced, I am very proud of them for achieving their goals in life ... It is important to me to let (all) children know that they are not alone.”