Do you dream of freedom? When I was being abused, I did. I imagined my life without the constant abuse and tiptoeing around him. What would that be like? The following is taken from my book, A Journey through Emotional Abuse: from Bondage to Freedom. In my first...
When planning to escape an abuser, there are many things to consider. Where will I live? What will I eat? Will I be able to find a job? What will happen to my kids? Contacting your local domestic violence center to create a safety plan is the best thing you can do...
I left my abuser 12 years ago. At that time, to receive help, I had to call the National Domestic Violence Hotline. I had just recently received a cell phone, and it wasn't a "smart phone." My phone didn't have my contacts in it, so I carried around a small address...
All users aren't abusers, but all abusers are users. If you are in the beginning stages of a relationship with one of these people, they will try some common tactics to real you in. I will share some strategies you can use to combat these tactics.* Note: If you are...
Employers often don't realize that domestic violence is affecting their business. Domestic violence reaches every facet of our community, including the workplace. According to DomesticShelters.org*, domestic violence causes victims to lose 175,000 days of work per...
Have you ever heard of DomesticShelters.org? I truly hope so. If you follow me on Facebook, you probably have because I am one of their biggest fans. DomesticShelters.org began two years ago, through a partnership of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence...
In my last blog, I shared my story of taking out a restraining order against my abusive ex-husband. For me, that was definitely the right thing to do. Should every abuse victim get a restraining order? Not necessarily. Should every abuse victim get a...
Are you considering leaving your abuser? If so, one of the factors that might keep you stuck in the abuse is lack of finances. Abusers often try to keep their victims tied to them financially by the following means: They prevent you from getting a job, or bother you...
In my last blog, I talked about the fine line between emotional abuse and physical abuse. I recommended emotional abuse victims call their local domestic violence crisis center and police department to become educated. I suggested they ask questions to determine what...
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Many will speak out this month against what UNICEF calls, "one of the most pervasive human rights violations in the world today." Let me add my voice. The more who speak up, the better. Many people do not understand the...
Click for a preview of DV Guide for Churches now.