Every ethical choice we make either strengthens or silences a survivor’s voice. Dear Colleague, When a survivor enters our care, they often carry a long history of being told what to do. Abusers, systems, even well-meaning helpers have all taken the steering wheel. Ethical care means giving it back. Even when that feels counterintuitive or […]
From Powerlessness to Power: Ethical Empowerment for Survivors Read More »
Strength is not something we give survivors. It is something we recognize in them. Dear Colleague, Too often, support begins with the assumption that something is wrong. When providers enter the room ready to fix, we reinforce the belief that survivors are damaged. Even gentle guidance can feel like correction when it is not requested.
Survivors Are Not Broken. We Must Stop Treating Them That Way. Read More »
Sometimes the systems we create for safety end up reinforcing control. Dear Colleague, We are taught to protect survivors, but protection can look a lot like power. When we take over a survivor’s safety plan, we may unintentionally mirror the dynamics they are trying to escape. Safety built on control, even benevolent control, can feel
What If Everything We Know About Survivor Safety Is Wrong Read More »
Sometimes even our most encouraging words can leave survivors of abusive relationship feeling unseen. Dear Colleague, Empowering language can become a burden when survivors are not ready to carry it. Phrases like “you’re so strong” or “you’ve got this” are meant to uplift, but they can land as expectations. Survivors may feel they have to
When Empowering Survivors Starts to Feel Like Pressure Read More »
For survivors, trust isn’t just given. It has to be rebuilt piece by piece over time. Dear Colleague, Helping survivors rebuild trust after abuse is one of the most delicate parts of relationship recovery. There are many things that influence the survivor’s ability to relearn trust. Trusting oneself after being challenged year after year, day
Trust After Abuse: Helping Survivors Rebuild Safely Read More »
The true goal isn’t just surviving abuse — it’s building a life beyond it. Dear Colleague, When we support survivors, we aren’t just helping them leave an abusive relationship . We are helping them reconnect to themselves. And we are helping them break the cycle for good. By focusing on empowerment over rescue, we help
Breaking the Cycle: Empowering Survivors Toward Freedom Read More »
There’s something powerful about knowing you’re not alone — and this month, survivors around the world are rising together. Dear Survivor, April holds deep meaning in our community — it’s Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and next week, we honor Denim Day — a movement that began as a protest against victim-blaming and has since become
Survivor Voices: This April, We Rise Together Read More »
April 1, 2025 You are stronger than you believe, and your worth is immeasurable. Dear Survivor, After experiencing domestic violence or relationship abuse, it’s natural to feel as though your sense of self-worth has been shaken. But you are not defined by what happened to you. Instead, you are defined by the incredible person you
Rebuilding Self-Worth After Abuse Read More »