What Is Domestic Violence?
What is domestic violence? Who does it affect? And how can we help break the cycle of abuse? October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and it’s the perfect time to bring awareness to the many different situations and types of domestic abuse.
Breaking My Silence Twice
Shelley’s story describes what it was like living with emotional and financial abuse. Often survivors in these situations don’t feel like their abuse is ‘real’ abuse and stay silent for much longer. Shelley shares her journey to finally understanding her abuse, how she was both supported and ignored by those around her, and the lengths she had to go through to ensure safety for herself and for her children.
I’m Still Working Hard to Find My New Normal
Valerie escaped her abuser after a 13-year relationship, finding safety for herself and her 3 children. Like most abusive relationships, hers escalated steadily to almost deadly levels, while she hid signs of abuse from those around her. Read her story to find out how she survived both her abuser and the legal system to get to where she is today.
Healing Through Art Therapy
Finding community through art not only can provide survivors of domestic violence with that sense of safety, but it does so through a form of self-care. The path of healing can be accessed by getting out your colored pencils, paints, or ballroom Youtube video and seeing how far it takes you.
Returning to School in a Virtual World
I Was Humiliated and Abused by My Own Family
Survivor Reshma experienced abuse at the hands of her family after immigrating from Pakistan. They use physical violence, threats, and oppression to keep her captive in her own home. To this day she suffers from the lasting effects of the violence inflicted on her by people who were supposed to protect her.
