When you hear the term “domestic violence” what comes to mind? Who do you imagine are the people involved? Do they come from a certain socioeconomic status? Do you assume a certain race is involved? Who do you picture when you hear the term “victim of domestic violence”? What feelings arise? Do you assume they…
This Sunday, October 11th, the world recognizes the International Day of the Girl established by the United Nations. According to the U.N., “the world is home to more than 1.1 billion girls under age 18, who are poised to become the largest generation of female leaders, entrepreneurs and change-makers the world has ever seen.” Girls…
October is nationally observed as Domestic Violence Awareness month. The prevalence of domestic violence in the U.S has become a silent killer as millions of Americans face some form of domestic violence in their life but often don’t speak up about it. Every minute, 20 people are physically abused in the U.S. For women, the…
When victims of abuse are inadvertently or intentionally mistreated by the people they thought they could trust with their story, we identify this experience as Double Abuse®. Last month, we blogged on Double Abuse® and its many detrimental effects, but in this blog, we are highlighting examples of various ways people and institutions enact Double…
Tragically, like many abuse victims, Jamal and his mother did not know anyone they felt they could confide in about the domestic violence happening in their home. As a result, they kept the pain they endured bottled up for years. Today, Jamal bravely shares his story about the abuse his family endured. He also reveals…
“I have asked him time and time again, not to take a picture of me in my bathing suit. He just won’t listen. I finally said to him, ‘You need to stop. I have established a clear and reasonable boundary regarding this topic many times. I don’t like to be photographed in my bathing suit…
The Power and Control Wheel image is a helpful tool that therapists, first responders, faith-based organizations, family and friends can use to help uncover when abuse is present. It paints a picture of the most common ways overt and covert abuse manifest through Intimate Partner Violence. If you ever interface with victims of abuse, understanding…
We at The M3ND Project have identified a recurring and profoundly devastating theme in the lives of those who have experienced harm from all forms of Original Abuse. All too often, when they courageously choose to disclose their abuse experiences and reach out for help, rather than being believed, victims are criticized, judged, interrogated, given…
One of the most difficult parts of learning about abuse is facing the reality that it might be impacting your own relationship or the life of someone you love. Education is the first step toward gaining the clarity required to recognize abuse and to empower victims or encourage others to share their stories. Clarity is…
Does your partner frequently make promises to change something when you confront them about it, but they never actually follow through? Is there a confusing inconsistency in your relationship that feels ongoing but is difficult to describe and happens so often that it’s hard to remember specific instances? Or, perhaps you find yourself in a…