What is Reproductive Coercion?

By Jenn Rockefeller It is not gender specific. It can happen to men, women and non-binary  victims of domestic violence. It can happen at any time within relationships. It doesn’t discriminate – it can happen to the rich or poor, and to all those with differing racial backgrounds. What is “it?” It’s called reproductive coercion […]

Reactive Abuse: What It is and Why Abusers Rely on It

One of the most common tactics abusers use is to shift blame for the abuse onto the victim. The abuser will claim the victim is the abuser because of the reaction the victim has. The abuser may even attempt to convince the victim that there is nothing worth reacting over and that the victim is […]

Stalking: What is It and How Can I Stay Safe?

By Rebecca Lynn According to the Centers for Disease, Control, and Prevention, 1 in 6 women, and 1 in 17 men have experienced stalking during their lifetimes. The Stalking Resource Center reports that 61% of those women and 44% of men are stalked by current or former intimate partners. For this article, we will focus […]

Violating a Protective Order

By Rebecca Lynn According to DomesticShelters.org, approximately half of protective orders (POs) domestic violence survivors obtain against their abusers who physically assaulted are were violated. Two-thirds of the protective orders for victims of rape or stalking are not followed by the abuser. These statistics, like most about domestic violence, are a little daunting, but by […]

What is a Protective Order?

By Rebecca Lynn Ending an abusive relationship is statistically one of the most dangerous times for a survivor. Making sense of the legal system and understanding how to protect yourself after leaving is complicated and unpredictable. Domestic violence advocates, like those at BTS, can help you with community resources, tips to stay safe, and legal […]

Safety Planning with Children

By Rebecca Lynn According to the Domestic Abuse Shelter of the Florida Keys, 75% of victims who lose their lives to domestic violence are murdered while leaving, or after leaving their abuser. Let that soak in for one moment: whether you are a victim who is still with your abuser, a survivor who is still […]