For many survivors, the holidays can be a season that brings more stress than joy. This is especially true when abuse has been inflicted within a victim’s close circle, such as a family member or friend, causing them extra fear and anxiety as holiday family gatherings approach. For example, an adult survivor who was abused…
This time of year – Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year’s – can be so magnificent. It is a time to gather with family and friends to show and receive love, connection and support. It’s a time of celebration – of faith, new beginnings, life. Yet, for many men, women, and children, this time of year is…
With the holiday season in full swing, it’s an especially good time to clarify what appropriate touch is. Unfortunately, it isn’t uncommon for people to get uncomfortable at holiday events or gatherings because of someone crossing boundaries. For example, what if you’re at an office Christmas party and everyone has been enjoying a few cocktails,…
I’ll never forget the moment I was lying down with my two boys in our one-bedroom apartment, certainly a step down compared to the big house from which I’d removed them, when one of my little boys looked around the room, glanced up at me, and said, “Mommy, I love our new home.” It was…
Did you know that the United States is one of the world’s top 10 most dangerous countries for women? The United States shares this spot with countries that permit genital mutilation, acid attacks and arranged child marriages. It was disturbing to see that America is the only Western nation to appear on the list. Why…
Have you ever wondered when a “good” joke crosses the line? Have you ever been on the receiving end of a “joke” that felt more like a punch in the gut? Have you ever felt that people are overly sensitive to the jokes that you say? In today’s blog, we share a story about a…
My fairy tale romance fell apart less than a year into our relationship, but I married him anyway. After suffering abuse for almost a decade, I found freedom in an unexpected place.
For most of us, when we hear the word “pervert” or “perpetrator,” we imagine someone who fits a specific image. Perhaps, in your mind, abusers look a certain way. Maybe you see them as the tough-looking man or cutthroat woman. Or maybe they look like the creepy neighbor who prefers musty sweaters and old books.…
Every scar, whether visible or invisible, tells a story. These marks of life can represent small accidents from personal carelessness, show victories from battles, or triumphs over challenges such as overcoming a mountain climb or running a race. These types of scars are part of the journey, the cost of living, of having adventure and…
Has a friend or family member ever talked to you about the way their intimate partner treats them, and the stories shared made your skin crawl? Or, maybe you have heard a lot of “little” stories that add up to an overwhelming amount of harmful words and behaviors. Perhaps it’s your best friend who talks…
