CONVO: Supporting Survivors of Sexual and Domestic Violence

Many survivors may reflect on what they could have changed throughout an abusive relationship or situation, as well as the outcomes that have appeared due to the abuse. This can lead to feelings of guilt and shame, even though the abuse was never their fault. Join Marissa and Nouchee in a conversation on these common feelings, and how to heal and transform from shame. 

Trauma bonding is intense, unlike a normal bond we may create with safe family and friends. Join Marissa and Nouchee in a discussion on how trauma bonds operate in the brain, how to tell if you are in a trauma bonded relationship, and ultimately how to safely break the trauma bond.

Identity encompasses the memories, experiences, relationships and values that creates one sense of self. It's normal to question or reflect on our identity from time to time, but in abuse, someone else may be trying to actively change or control who you are and the choices that you make. Join Nouchee and Marissa to discuss how abuse impacts our sense of identity, and ultimately how to start to reclaim your identity for yourself.

This June, we recognize and celebrate Pride Month, while acknowledging the unique challenges LGBTQ+ survivors of domestic and sexual violence face. Join Marissa and Nouchee in a discussion of the different forms of abuse and barriers that the LGBTQ+ community may face, as well as affirmations and resources for LGBTQ+ victim/survivors. 

How are abuse and mental health connected? According to the CDC, survivors of intimate partner violence often experience mental health diagnoses, such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms, and survivors of sexual violence also experience similar mental health symptoms or diagnoses. Via the CDC, "coping and completing everyday tasks after victimization can be challenging. Victims may have difficulty maintaining personal relationships, returning to work or school, and regaining a sense of normalcy." Join Marissa and Nouchee in ending the stigma of mental health, and how survivors of abuse living with a diagnosis can get support. 

Victim/survivors may have a complicated relationship with self-worth and motivation, often based off of the messages they have received from their partners when in an abusive relationship. Join Marissa and Nouchee into understanding these ideas through the lens of abuse, and identify ways in which we can all honor where we are at and where we want to be in our healing journeys. 

Many survivors find comfort in sharing their own story with others. Sharing your story may strengthen your own self-image as someone who can reclaim their power, bring solidarity with other victim/survivors in your life, and can help shed the shame and stigma of overcoming sexual abuse. Want to share your story, but you don’t know where to start? Join Nouchee and Marissa for a deeper dive on this topic. Thank you to WaterStone Bank for their support of Sexual Assault Awareness Month and the mission of The Women’s Center.

Shame is a painful emotion caused by consciousness of guilt or shortcoming; when used by abuser, shame can exert power and control over a victim of abuse, and also discourage them from speaking out. Join Marissa and Nouchee in this important conversation for Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), providing real-life examples from our EmPower Luncheon speakers, Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey. Thank you to WaterStone Bank for their support of SAAM, and the mission of The Women’s Center.

As parents and children both get older, it’s inevitable that your relationship dynamics will change. In a healthy familial relationship, there is space to talk about these changes openly, and renegotiate boundaries. When the relationship is not so healthy, these changing dynamics may likely bring about conflict. Sometimes this shift can be a “turning point” into a power and control dynamic; parental abuse is when a child engages in behavior that is abusive, whether that be emotionally, physically, mentally, or financially towards a parent or guardian. Join Nouchee and Marissa to learn more about parental and elder abuse, and how to stay safe from an abusive child. 

It isn’t easy telling others about abuse that we’ve endured; it can bring upon feelings of shame, and we aren’t really sure if our loved ones will be supportive. Telling our children can feel even more daunting and exacerbate those feelings. You might not know where to start, but you’re not alone. Join Nouchee and Marissa in a discussion about how to disclose, how to understand your adult child's feelings, and ultimately how to begin the healing process as a family.