Leaving was not just about heartbreak. It was about survival. Dear Survivor, A woman once told me that after she left, people treated it like a typical breakup. They asked if she was dating again. They encouraged her to get over it. What they did not see were the nightmares, the triggers, the way her […]
It Wasn’t Just a Breakup. It Was an Escape. Read More »
When we release control, we make room for survivors to reclaim theirs. Dear Colleague, Survivor decisions are not always what we expect. Some stay. Some leave and return. Some say yes in session and no in real life. These moments can feel disheartening, even confusing. But they are not wrong. They are information. Every choice
Every Choice Is a Step: Honoring Survivor Decision-Making Read More »
Love shouldn’t feel like walking on eggshells. Dear Survivor, At first, it may have looked like devotion. The constant check-ins, the jealousies framed as care, the need to be with you all the time. It felt like intensity, passion, maybe even romance. Then came the slow unraveling of your freedom. They made your world smaller
How to Recognize Coercive Control When Love Is the Bait Read More »
What looks like protection may actually be power and control. Dear Colleague, Financial abuse is one of the least recognized forms of control in intimate partner violence. It often hides behind the appearance of care. A partner offers to manage the bills, handle the bank account, or support the household so the survivor can “focus
When Care Is Control: Understanding Financial Abuse in Survivors’ Lives Read More »
When survivors do not know what they like, want, or feel, that is not dysfunction. That is trauma. Dear Colleague, One of the quietest wounds survivors carry is the erosion of self. After prolonged coercive control, even simple choices can feel overwhelming. Survivors may struggle to name their preferences, identify their values, or make basic
Helping Survivors Reclaim Identity after Coercive Control Read More »
Not all abuse leaves bruises — some of the most damaging wounds are invisible. Dear Colleague, Recognizing the signs of emotional abuse is critical when working with survivors of domestic violence and relationship abuse. By identifying emotional abuse early, we help survivors name their experiences and begin the path to recovery. 👉 Resource to Support
Signs of Emotional Abuse Providers Must Recognize Read More »