It is a wonderful thing to know that finding a healthy relationship is possible after abuse. It can happen to you too. In this week’s blog, we celebrate this and seek to encourage you to maintain a vibrant and caring connection with your mate, whether you are the survivor in the relationship or their partner.…
Many of us struggle to practice self-love, but it can be especially challenging for abuse survivors to master. Individuals who have gone through any abuse, whether sexual, emotional or spiritual, were told by their abuser in either spoken or unspoken terms that they were not loved. Sometimes it’s during the secondary layer of abuse (Double…
The M3ND Project works to identify and educate on the many faulty cultural and personal structures that make abusive action or inaction possible, especially those that often go unseen, are unnoticed or unknown. To further understand these intricate nuances of abuse, M3ND founder and CEO, Annette Oltmans, conducted extensive research, including interviewing hundreds of victims…
Are you or have you ever been in a relationship with someone who always dismisses, ignores, or downplays your thoughts, feelings and experiences? Abusive minimization is the belittling of the victim’s perspective with the intention to make what the victim values unimportant, thereby killing their confidence, creativity and individuality.(1) An article from Psychology Today defines this…
Make no mistake: lying is a type of abuse. We all lie sometimes, don’t we? So when is it abusive? Lying is one of the most common tactics an abuser uses to gain power and control over their victim. Lying confuses the victim’s reality while helping the liar to shirk from their responsibility in the…
Understanding how narcissists think and behave is critical when discussing covert emotional abuse because their self-obsession often leads them to harm others. Knowing more can help you identify the abuse you are seeing or experiencing. Like with most things in life, there is a spectrum of narcissism. We all have narcissistic traits. It’s not a…
“Learn to light a candle in the darkest moments of someone’s life. Be the light that helps others see; it is what gives life its deepest significance.” ― Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for coming alongside The M3ND Project this year in educating, equipping,…
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,…