The Secret Lives of Domestic Violence Survivors
By Emilie Trepanier It is estimated that more than ten million people in the United States alone experience domestic violence a year. This means that nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner. Twenty people per minute. Not 20 men or 20 women or transgender or nonbinary people. Not 20 kids or 20 […]
Survivor Story: My Children and I Deserve Love and Safety
Submitted by: Danielle, Survivor As part of the conditioning and manipulation abusers use to keep their victims trapped in an abusive relationship, the destruction of self-esteem and self-worth are effective tools. Abusers slowly convince their partners that the abuse is their fault and that they do not deserve any better than their current circumstances. They […]
Survivor Story: He Stalked Me and Tried to Kill Me After I Left
Submitted by: *Nancy, Survivor As noted by the National Domestic Violence Hotline, the presence of firearms in homes where domestic violence occurs increases the risk of fatality by 500 percent. Guns are often used by abusers to threaten and intimidate their victims, and, unfortunately, also in domestic violence murder. Some prior victims of violent crimes […]
Survivor Story: I Did Not Want My Daughters to Come from a Broken Home
Submitted by: Melissa, Survivor As a survivor of domestic violence, coming forward to share one’s story is not always easy. Doing so is a personal decision that each of us must make when we feel we are ready to open ourselves up and be vulnerable. Melissa shares with us what motivated her to leave her […]
5 Things Survivors Wish They Could Share with CPS Workers
Survivor Story: It Happened to Me
Written by: Courtney, Survivor Domestic violence does not discriminate. While there are many contributory factors and some populations face higher risks than others, no one is immune to relationship abuse. It can happen to anyone. Domestic violence could have happened – or is happening – to you. It could be someone next to you or […]
