Domestic Violence - Breaking the Cycle

“Deal with yourself as an individual worthy of respect, and make everyone else deal with you the same way.” – Nikki Giovanni

Domestic violence  is a pattern of coercive, controlling behavior by one person toward another in the intimate relationship. It can take many forms — physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, economic, or technological abuse — and often it may escalate over time if unchecked.  Because it often occurs behind closed doors, many survivors suffer in silence. Awareness, education, support systems, and trauma-informed responses are key to breaking the cycle.

Signs of Abuse to Watch For: emotional isolation, control over money, frequent “accidental” harm, gaslighting, threats, etc.

Did you know?
• Every year, domestic violence is responsible for nearly 1,300 deaths and 2 million injuries in the U.S. alone.  
Reference:
https://med.emory.edu/departments/psychiatry/nia/resources/domestic_violence.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Writing / Reflection Prompt:
Write freely without editing, to reflect on signs, emotions, and lessons, as a path toward awareness.
Prompt: “Describe a relationship or dynamic in your life (past or present) in which power, control, or boundaries were imbalanced or unclear. What messages (spoken or unspoken) influenced how you responded? What would you tell yourself now about self-worth, safety, and healthy boundaries?”

Resources & Helplines:
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 or chat via thehotline.org  

National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (NRCDV) — offers tools, directories, and technical assistance related to domestic violence services.  
https://nrcdv.org/node