Always a Voice
Our Why
Maltreatment and Abuse often cause victims to struggle with feelings of fear, isolation and mistrust. These outcomes morph into years of psychological impairment that show up as low self-esteem, depression, educational difficulties, work problems, and trouble forming and maintaining meaningful relationships.
All too often abuse survivors get stuck reliving their abuse, thus making it difficult to thrive in the here and now. Their abuse and victimization often becomes their identity, causing them to remain in victim mode for years to come. This rolling ball of unaddressed pain gains momentum, creating the potential for continued trauma and unhealthy relational issues on down the line. It is truly imperative that we educate survivors—and communities at large—to address and embrace trauma as they would any other major illness, disease or injury.
If you were diagnosed with diabetes today, you would suddenly find yourself on a quest to learn all you can. You would no doubt take your diagnosis seriously, especially if you wanted to live a healthy and happy life. You would likely make necessary dietary changes or begin pursuing an exercise program. You might even join a support group—especially if you were struggling to accept your diagnosis.
As with any mental health issue, we must change our viewpoints and perspectives! There is still deep-stemmed stigma and bias surrounding domestic abuse, child abuse and other relational traumas. Only in fully facing these issues head-on are we able to make positive and lasting changes.
The Co-Occurance and Overlap Between Domestic Violence and Child Abuse:
• Children who are exposed to domestic violence are at a 40-60% increased risk of being abused or neglected on a personal level.
• Violence against children and violence against women often occur together and share many long-term risk factors.
• Children are often caught in the middle of inter-parental violence, resulting in confusion, harm, fear, abuse. illness and "acting out".
• Adult victims of childhood abuse are more likely to gravitate toward further abusive relationships, thus creating more potential damage to their self-esteem.
• Unaddressed domestic abuse and childhood trauma are specifically linked to drug-abuse and addictions
Why do we believe in facing domestic/child abuse head-on?
The answer is simple. We face domesitc/child abuse head-on because you matter! And because on the other side of pain and trauma is healing and breakthrough! 🌻