Hello everyone. I hope you are all doing very well.

Last week I interviewed Domestic Abuse Coach Karen Messina McDonnell, who works with survivors of abuse. If you haven’t listened to the interview, I strongly suggest you listen to it before today’s episode, as it will give you a better understanding of what it is like to be in an abusive relationship and the lasting effects it can have on people. Karen mentioned that when she was being abused by her husband, it was the intervention and support of a friend that helped her change her circumstances, leave her abusive husband, and transform her life.

But we don’t all have friends who live next door, who can see into our homes or hear our fights and who can offer us the help we need right then and there.

Some of us might rely on people a fit further from us, a good-hearted colleague, a boss, a teacher, a friend…to be that person who notices and offers us support.

So if you are one such person, if you are worried that someone you know might be in an abusive situation at home, I want to share with you some tips on changes to keep an eye out for, so that you can offer them your support.

Also, if you are going through abuse right now, or if you are living with the effects of a past abusive relationship and are looking for support but don’t know who to turn to, do not hesitate to contact me via email at [email protected], or to reach out on FB & Instagram @barbararubiocoach