Abusers don't see the world as we do. They see no fault in their behavior. Abusers will tell others that you were the cause of the demise of the break-up. Question your sanity.

You may feel: Scared, depressed, confused, and angry

The abuser may: Use the legal system against you. Pressure the kids to tell him things about you. If your kids have a cell phone/computer he may gather information about your social media/friends/location/numbers.

Give yourself permission to: Cry, scream, or break things (safely).Remember:How far you have come! Journal your experiences. (Works great as a paper trail too!) Give yourself the gift of grace and be gentle with yourself.

More on the Hope when there was none podcast that can be found on your favorite listening platform.

With any one of these there can use the tactics of - isolating the victim, creating a dependency with the abuser, or may have other mental health issues. Can cause victim to become depressed, have a breakdown, or commit suicide. A proper diagnosis needs to be from a licensed Counselor or Therapist.

Find me here- ⁠https://linktr.ee/melindajkunst⁠

Find help and info here-

National Domestic Violence Hotline- ⁠https://www.thehotline.org/⁠

Safe Horizon- ⁠https://www.safehorizon.org/⁠

⁠https://www.domesticshelters.org/⁠

⁠https://internationalwomenshouse.org/get-help⁠

https://safeandtogetherinstitute.com/international-domestic-violence-resources/

⁠https://www.domesticshelters.org/resources/national-global-organizations/international-organizations

Sexual Assault Hotline- ⁠https://www.rainn.org/⁠

Abused Deaf Women's Advocacy Services (ADWAS) provides advocacy services for Deaf and DeafBlind survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. ⁠http://www.adwas.org/⁠

Suicide prevention- ⁠https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/⁠

Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453

National Center on Elder Abuse- ⁠https://ncea.acl.gov/suspectabuse#gsc.tab=0

*Trigger warning!*

Sexual abuse can be hard to talk about. Victims can experience a wide range of unwanted assaults. It may become difficult for a victim to develop trust with intimate partners. Here are a few examples of what it can look like. If you relate to any of these please contact a shelter, counselor, or law enforcement. If you need to talk I am happy to hold space for you.

After listening into today's broadcast, do you recognize any of these in your own life?

Find me here- ⁠https://linktr.ee/melindajkunst⁠

Find help and info here-

National Domestic Violence Hotline- ⁠https://www.thehotline.org/⁠

Safe Horizon- ⁠https://www.safehorizon.org/⁠

⁠https://www.domesticshelters.org/⁠

⁠https://internationalwomenshouse.org/get-help⁠

https://safeandtogetherinstitute.com/international-domestic-violence-resources/

⁠https://www.domesticshelters.org/resources/national-global-organizations/international-organizations

Sexual Assault Hotline- ⁠https://www.rainn.org/⁠

Abused Deaf Women's Advocacy Services (ADWAS) provides advocacy services for Deaf and DeafBlind survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. ⁠http://www.adwas.org/⁠

Suicide prevention- ⁠https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/⁠

Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453

National Center on Elder Abuse- ⁠https://ncea.acl.gov/suspectabuse#gsc.tab=0

*Trigger warning!*

This month has been a bit busy and I have not gotten these out as planned. Life happens! On today's unscripted episode I dove into answering a common question that I often hear. How do you start over after a toxic relationship?

Words you may come across frequently while dealing with an abuser:

Baiting

Boundaries

Hoovering

Love bombing

No Contact and more on today's episode.

#healingjourney #domesticviolenceawareness #domesticabuseawareness #narcissistsurvivor #toxicrelationship

Pet abuse is a difficult topic as well as reason many survivors stay in abusive relationships. An abuser may threaten harm to kill the pet if the survivor wants to leave. Signs to looks out for: - Anxiety- Fear responses- Flinching- Limping and many more

Abusers may harm pets by/with:

- Physically harming

- Torture - Neglect

- Sexual abuse...

For more information on the Purple Leash Project:

https://www.purina.com/purple-leash-project

Two other resources are:

RedRover- https://redrover.org/

Safe Havens- https://www.safehavensforpets.org/

Domestic Shelters: https://www.domesticshelters.org/

Grooming is the topic for today's episode. We usually picture grooming as something that happens between a child and adult but this can happen between adults as well. This is a gradual process in order to gain the trust of a person in order to have control and take advantage of someone. This can look like:

Romantic, sexual, financial, materially and more! The victim can become withdrawn or depressed. They may suddenly be without money. Have new things or clothes. May not want to talk about the new person in their life.

There are things you can do to help by reporting it to law enforcement, school, or website. Know you are not alone and it is not your fault. More on today's episode.

You may find it hard to figure out if the relationship you are in is unhealthy when you are in it. Consider talking with a trusted family member or friend for their opinion of this person. You may feel defensive of their thoughts but remember to try to keep an open mind. Here are a few things you may take notice of:

- The relationship is intense FAST!

- You catch the person in lies

- They are controlling

- Isolate you

- Jealousy

- Criticizes you and more!

Can you relate to any of these?