We are all first responders at some point in our lives. We are mothers, fathers, siblings, professionals, and friends. As a first responder to abuse, at some point, you will likely face the opportunity to confront a person about their abusive personality and behavior. Whether the abuser is a client, co-worker, family member, or friend,…
DetailsDeciding whether and how to leave an abusive relationship may be the toughest choice an abuse victim makes in their life. Every situation is complicated by different variables, and it is not uncommon for the victim to stay in their abusive situation longer than their loved ones would expect them to as a result of…
DetailsIn last week’s blog, we addressed some reasons why women don’t leave their abusers. The M3ND Project has been in dialogue with a number of male victims to listen to their stories of abuse and wanted to share some of the reasons why men might not leave their abusers. We have been told about the…
Details“Why don’t you just leave him?” Many people ask victims of abuse this question. Although it is often posed with good intentions, it is rarely a helpful question to ask. For most victims, the decision of whether to leave a relationship is far more complicated and wrought with nuances than most people realize. In this…
DetailsEvery marriage has its own unique joys and challenges, and it rarely aligns with our expectations. Comparisons we draw from entertainment and other relationships we witness between friends and family can set us up to believe that marriage should look a specific way. While there are certain things that should be constant within a relationship…
DetailsOne thing abusers have in common is that they will try to make their bad behavior seem good somehow, either internally to themselves or outwardly to their victim and to the world. Through this endeavor, abusers may do things like justifying, covering-up, scapegoating, blaming, and much more. Today, we want to highlight a Covert Emotional…
DetailsIn light of this week being National Women’s Health Week and Mental Health Awareness Month, we want to take this opportunity to highlight the importance of mental health in women and its relationship to abuse. Cultivating strong mental health is critical for personal growth and maintaining physical well-being. It is also important to prioritize your…
DetailsToday, we are proud to share the powerful testimony of a strong survivor who was sexually assaulted at a place meant to facilitate relaxation and peace, not trauma and agony. To protect her identity, she self-refers as “Riley” in her story below, although that is not her real name. Because of her abuser’s actions, her…
DetailsNo parent in this millennia is an expert on playing out their role during a pandemic. There is no “right way” to these strange new normals brought on by COVID-19, but as a parent, you may be wishing there was a guideline for getting through this season of social distancing and sheltering-in-place without losing your…
DetailsThe M3ND Project knows that many families are struggling significantly right now during ongoing COVID-19 quarantine and shelter-at-home mandates, and extreme stress is on the family unit. Perhaps your children are acting up in ways they never have or this is an ongoing issue for you. If so, there are ways parents and children can…
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