By Eleanor Beeslaar Recovering from abuse and trauma takes time. Healing is not an overnight process, and it is filled with ups and downs. If you notice yourself having a bad day or are feeling stuck, try your best to
Recovering from DV: A Vision for the Future
By Eleanor Beeslaar Rebuilding your life after leaving an abusive relationship can be scary and challenging, but it can also be an exciting opportunity to rediscover your passions and develop a new path for your future. Take this time to
Recovering from DV: Positive Social Support
By Eleanor Beeslaar A strong and positive support system is an important part of healing from domestic violence. Surrounding yourself with people who lift you up and stand by your side can help you as you move through your journey
Recovering from DV: Challenging Negative Beliefs
By Eleanor Beeslaar In abusive relationships, there is an unhealthy and unfair dynamic of power and control, where the abuser uses a variety of tactics and “put-downs” to lower victims’ self-esteem and confidence. Many abusers engage in gaslighting, or using
Recovering from Domestic Violence: Series Intro
By Eleanor Beeslaar Domestic violence often has far-reaching effects and can impact survivors long after the abuse has ended. Years of physical, emotional, verbal, sexual, and/or financial abuse can break-down survivors’ self-esteem, lower self-efficacy, result in physical injuries, and lead
Dignity, Respect, and Love
When someone you care about is being abused, there are many practical ways you can provide support. As we’ve discussed in the previous blogs in this series, these ways may include asking them what help they need, helping them to
Promote Safety
What can you do to help someone in an abusive relationship become more safe? As we’ve discussed in the first 3 blogs in this series, important considerations in answering this question for a person in your life are: #1: Avoid
Know Your Limits
When helping someone you care about who’s in an abusive relationship, it’s important to know, honor, and protect your own limits–including your emotions, knowledge, and physical safety. In today’s post, we will explore each of these and suggest strategies for
Ask How You Can Help
Although it may sound simple, if you’re trying to figure out how to help someone in an abusive relationship, just ask them what they need. By asking them what types of help and support they can use from you, you
Helping a Friend in an Abusive Relationship: Refrain from Judgment
Just how different is the view from the outside, compared to the inside, of an abusive relationship? From the outside looking into an abusive relationship, it can be tempting to judge a person who is staying with someone who is