Fleeing abuse By Chantal (MsNobleEleanor) What is abuse? Abuse is defined as physical violence, psychological, sexual, financial, controlling behaviours, and mistreatment. Abuse can happen to anyone by anyone. One example of abuse would be someone who lies and robs their victim. You can live with your abuser, work with them, live down the street from them; even friends can abuse you, or those who are in positions of authority. Experiencing any form of abuse impacts the individual...

What is gaslighting? By Cassie (cynefin) "Gaslighting" is a term that is used to describe a negative behavior that someone displays towards someone else. This article will explain what gaslighting is and suggest what to do if someone is gaslighting you, or if you feel you're behaving that way toward someone else. What is gaslighting? Gaslighting is when someone manipulates you into questioning your own sanity, even though your sanity is not what needs to be questioned. There are many...

Living with your abuser By Cassie (cynefin) Living with an abuser can be a very triggering and even dangerous time for survivors of the abuse. By living with the person who harmed you emotionally, physically, or sexually, you are being re-exposed to a possible major trigger. You are also likely to be in danger if your abuser is prone to harming you again. This article will discuss a few coping techniques to utilize if you are currently living with your abuser, among other things....

Emotional abuse vs emotional neglect By Cassie (Cassado) While both equally damaging, emotional abuse and emotional neglect are two different things with their own set of characteristics. Both terms are related to emotional distress but the actions which cause the distress are different. Read on to learn more about the differences and effects of emotional abuse and neglect. The difference between emotional abuse and emotional neglect is that emotional abuse entails doing something and...
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Healing from an abusive relationship By Sammi (Orenda.) Leaving an abusive relationship is, without a doubt, a cathartic experience. Immediately following the end of the relationship, many people will experience feelings of relief brought about by the end of the situation, as well as a feeling of empowerment that comes with the realization that your life is once again your own. As the separation begins to sink in and feel more permanent, however, fears and hesitations may begin to set in....

Preventing child sexual abuse By Jenna (.:BreakingBeautifully:.) One in four girls and one in six boys will be sexually abused before they turn 18. These staggering statistics may leave you wondering what you can do to help children who might fall prey to child sexual abuse. Most people are aware that child sexual abuse occurs, but are unaware of the steps they can take to try and help prevent it, which leaves them with a sense of hopelessness. Many people cling to the idea that the main...
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The fear of becoming your abuser By Cassie (Cassado) Though it is not talked about, many survivors of abuse fear that they will someday turn into their abusers. Part of this is likely to do with the misconception that all survivors of abuse become abusers themselves. Almost all abusers were abused, but reoffending is relatively rare. This article will discuss what the fear is, why it is there, and how to cope with this fear. What it is The fear of becoming your abuser is...

Sexual assault forensic exam By Cassie (Cassado) A sexual assault forensic exam, commonly known as a rape kit, is an exam people get after being assaulted. Though the specifics of the exam can vary by country, it often includes genital swabbing, hair combing, photography, and the treatment of any injuries sustained from the assault. This article will discuss deciding whether or not to get the exam, what activities to avoid prior to it, and the different steps taken during...

Leaving an abusive relationship By Sammi (Metanoia.) Making the decision to leave a relationship that has become abusive or toxic can be a daunting thing to face. It inevitably raises many questions about how you will be able to end things with your partner and what will come next. While every situation is different, there are a few basic things that you need to be aware of when planning to leave, regardless of your exact circumstances. Reach out to those around you While it can be...

Understanding why someone may stay with their abuser By Nicole (eumoirous) Note: This article does not encourage staying in an abusive relationship, but rather serves to explain why people may remain in one so that it is easier to be an ally to a loved one who may be going through this situation. Having never been in an abusive relationship, it is easy to see one happening and not understand why the victim does not leave. It can be distressing to watch a friend get mistreated and to feel...

Facing your abuser By Cassie (Cassado) Whether you're expecting to or not, facing your abuser can bring up a lot of difficult feelings and memories. Feelings such as anxiety, anger, or numbness may arise. Intense self-destructive urges or past memories can resurface, even if you thought you had already worked through them. This article is going to discuss how to handle running into your abuser, or how to cope with seeing them on a regular basis. It's a small world and many people...

Narcissistic abuse By Cassie (Cassado) Narcissistic abuse is most commonly a type of emotional abuse. However, narcissists can also use physical and sexual abuse to manipulate their victims. Emotional abuse is characterized as behaviors that can create an emotional trauma for the victims. Narcissistic abuse is when a person with Narcissistic Personality Disorder harms other people with their severe narcissistic traits. This article is going to explain the two main types of narcissists...

Disproving the myths of sexual assault By Jenny (coolkid98) and Cassie (Cassado) Did you know that an estimated 293,000 Americans are sexually assaulted each year? source] More than half of those victims do not report or receive any help for the assault. Sexual crimes are common but they are unfortunately not talked about often enough. Approximately 1.8 million teenagers in the United States have been sexually assaulted and 30% of those victims are relatives of their perpetrator...

Understanding the effects of sexual abuse on your partner By Kyra (Radioactive.) Trying to walk in the shoes of a victim of abuse or assault is understandably difficult. Sometimes it may feel like attempts to comfort, help, or sympathize with a victim of trauma can go unnoticed or unappreciated. The victim may be going through significant stress in multiple areas of their lives, and the trauma and stress cannot be fixed or forgotten overnight, even if it happened years before. This article...

Abusive Relationships By Ashley (Wonderbread) Abusive relationships are something that can affect us whether we are sixteen or sixty. It is important to remember that while abuse can be physical, it can also be mental, emotional, or sexual. Abuse affects both men and women, but no one has to remain in an abusive relationship. Being aware of the signs of an abusive relationship can help you to know when enough is enough, and to leave or ask for help. Definitions of the different types...