Many people realize that those who grow up in abusive households are more likely to be in abusive relationships as adults.

But how common is it to go from childhood bliss to an adult world of terror.

In this special report, part of Liz Hayes' series, "In Pursuit of Happiness," we share the story of a woman we'll call 'Erica.'

There are police reports and court documents to back up her terrifying story.

"I had a really good childhood. We were a farm family. My parents, ya know, had good jobs, I had 2 siblings," Erica said.

Erica, who requested we keep her identity hidden, is divorced. Her ex-husband wasn't abusive, but the pair split up.

Soon, she met another man....a man who would change everything.

"He seemed to be a very nice man, but little by little he started taking things away from me, telling me who I could hang out with as friends. "

She says he was a drug addict, and became increasingly eratic, controlling and jealous.....but the worst was yet to come.

"I was locked in a closet for about a year, without any clothes. Because if I got out of the closet and didn't have any clothes on, then I couldn't run away from him."

Erica couldn't leave. She couldn't go to the bathroom alone, or even shower by herself.

"It got to the point where I just wanted to die because I just didn't know what to do."

The man would be gone for days, leaving Erica bolted shut in a closet. When he'd return, he'd beat her and accuse her of having affairs.

"He just got me down to the point where I didn't have any self-esteem, any dignity, nothing left anymore."

Soon she was pregnant, which ultimately became her saving grace.

"When I started showing that I was pregnant, he accused me of having an affair and that it wasn't his baby, even though I was never let out of the house."

Erica, malnourished and lacking pre-natal care....became incredibly sick. She says somehow her abuser found it in his heart to take her to the hospital.

"They noticed at the doctor thank God. I told some of the doctors I was having a very hard time with my relationship and they started contacting social workers."

Police broke into the home and the man who had so severly tormented Erica was arrested.

"He was sentenced in 2004 and I was going to testify against him, but he tried to attack me in the hallway."

He was sentenced to 11 years in prison. Originally there were 78 counts against him, but 74 were dropped.

Although Erica was glad it was over, the embarassment and gravity of the abuse made her an easy target for her next abusive boyfriend.

"I should have left earlier, but I wanted to have a relationship, I wanted to be happy."

"I moved in with him and little by little it started happening all over, the same signs. Timing me when I went to the grocery store, accusing me of seeing other men, telling me how to dress, to do my hair."

"I thought how is this happening to me again? This cannot happen, I can't believe this, what is wrong with me that I keep attracting these men and I kept thinking there was something wrong with me....and that's what they want you to think."

He eventually threw her down t he stairs. She ran to a neighbor's and called 911, he was arrested. He's still in jail and awaiting trial.

Erica says The Women's Community has helped her tremendously, and she...and her daughter are finally beginning to heal.

She continues her pursuit of happiness.