10 Years Later: The Joe Paterno Saga
As a survivor, we normally assume that most people think like us. Maybe they have not experienced domestic violence, sexual assault, or child abuse, but you assume that they still find these things as abhorrent as you find them. It was disheartening to hear these people bend over backwards to defend a cover-up of sexual assault towards children.
The Holidays and Domestic Violence
The Numbers May Lie Do you remember hearing that the Great Wall of China is the only man-made object visible from outer space? This is a piece of trivia that has been passed along since I can remember. It gets repeated so much that it is very possible that it is the first thing you […]
Better Health Through Giving
… it is important to remember that giving isn’t just about packages that can be wrapped and put under a tree for loved ones. Giving can be even more emotionally satisfying when it helps people we don’t know. When we give to someone who is truly in need, we get the biggest reactions and make the biggest impacts.
Looking For A Sign
By Rick Dougherty Social media has been a blessing and a curse for those of us who try to battle violence against women. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other platforms have allowed organizations like Break the Silence Against Domestic Violence to spread our message. Unfortunately, as many of us are well aware, social media has also […]
What I Learned (and Had to Unlearn) from Witnessing Financial Abuse
Even the women in his family didn’t think women should be treated equally. When I later married, they mocked my wife for not taking my last name. This didn’t come from the men in the family. It came from the women. The patriarchal family structure was comforting to all of them, as a protection from a scary world. Even if that structure suppressed them, it provided a feeling of safety.
Abuse or Homelessness: A Horrifying Decision for Many Victims of Domestic Violence
There came a point where the abuse was getting more and more dangerous. One night, in particular, I escaped and drove to a parking lot up the road. A few of my friends had encouraged me to call a domestic violence shelter. I was very hesitant because I didn’t want my kids to have to experience that if I can be honest, but it came to a point where they experiencing my abuse was far more damaging in my eyes. I took a deep breath and called. To my absolute shock and dismay, they told me that they were full and couldn’t take us.
