Survivor Story: She Endured Abuse as an Immigrant
Submitted by: *Isabel, Survivor Victims and survivors of domestic violence face a long list of challenges and barriers when reporting abuse to authorities. Particularly vulnerable are immigrants who may face language and cultural barriers, threats of having their children removed from the home, and risk of being reported to immigration authorities in addition to financial […]
Survivor Story: She Hoped the Abuse Would End Once She Had His Child
Submitted by: Jamie, Survivor For many victims of intimate partner violence, abuse can begin or escalate once they learn they are pregnant with their abuser’s child. This puts both the mother and unborn child at risk for serious injury. Others may see the onset of abuse once the child is born, with the abuser blaming […]
Survivor Story: Questions We Have Before Leaving an Abuser
Submitted by: Joanna When we reach the point where we are ready to leave an abuser, we are often weighed down with fear, confusion, and sadness. Our abusers have conditioned us to believe that we are not worth better, that no one will believe us if we disclose the abuse, and that no one will […]
Survivor Story: Her Husband Held a Gun to Her Head in Front of Their Children
Submitted by: Carla*, Survivor Each year, one out of every three adolescents experiences some form of abuse at the hand of their partner. Only one third of those teens ever reveal to anyone that they are being abused. Many of these teens go on to marry, putting the victim at greater risk of escalation of […]
Survivor Story: Abuse is Everyone’s Problem
Submitted by: Rick, Survivor Any form of abuse, regardless of the type, has far-reaching consequences for the children subjected to it. Research shows that trauma impacts not only mental and emotional health but causes physical changes to the brain as well. Consequently, abused children are at higher risk of illness, behavioral problems, and impaired development […]
Angel Story: My Sister Was Shot by Her Fiancé as Her Daughter Slept in the Next Room
Submitted By: Hailey, sister of Lindsey The presence of firearms in a domestic violence situation dramatically increases risk of fatality. The American Journal of Public Health published research showing that a firearm in possession of the abuser increases risk of death by 500%. Additionally, guns are used by abusers to murder women in over half […]
