How to Model Healthy Relationships for Your Children
Abusive relationships are anything but healthy. Children born of those relationships will never see healthy behaviors modeled for them. They will not see what a true relationship is supposed to look like. This is why in the aftermath of a domestic violence situation, it’s imperative for survivors to show their children that it is possible […]
Talking About Healthy Relationships with Your Teen
“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.” I Timothy 4:12 (NIV) We were all young once, or maybe some still are. Youth brings laughter, opinions, attitudes, more laughter, some crying and a whole lot […]
Intimate Partner Sexual Violence
By Amy Thomson When many people hear about sexual violence, they often assume that the perpetrator was a stranger. They may picture dark alleys and sinister figures lurking in the shadows. Even though 30% of sexual assault victims are attacked by strangers, the circumstances around each assault vary widely. Victims and survivors of sexual assault […]
How to Talk to Children About Domestic Violence After They Witnessed Abuse
By Cesiah Guerra It was night when my son stood by my bed. He stood on guard to protect me, in case his father would walk in the room to hurt me, as he had for the past few weeks. I told my ten-year-old son to go to sleep, but he refused. He said, “Mama, […]
How to Identify or Create Social Support Systems
It’s okay to feel vulnerable when asking for help. Because domestic violence thrives when victims are isolated, social support has often been restricted or made extremely difficult for a victim to obtain. Where can you find a support system of people who recognize these challenges? How can you even articulate what you’ve experienced in your […]
Having a Solid Support System
Having a solid support system following an abusive relationship is vital to a survivor’s healing and recovery journey. After an abusive situation, life is chaotic. Very often, survivors don’t know where to turn or what to do. Many are just going through the motions of barely surviving. That’s why it’s incredibly helpful to have a […]