Leaving someone that is toxic in a relationship is hard! The decision is not made lightly or without much thought. This can be between you and a family member or an intimate partner.

I mentioned copying documents and here is the list:

If you are concerned your

Social Security cards

Bills- Student loans, Credit cards, medical

Financial records

Medical records/shot records

Diplomas

Passports

Pay stubs

Income tax records

Mortgage/Rent contract

Business contacts/info

Have an old school paper type of phone book with

Car registration/Insurance

Medical insurance cards

Investment info/401k

Old protective orders- this shows there were past problems

Photos

Bankruptcy discharges

Any other legal info- lawsuits, tickets, summons,

Journals

History of the violence- include pictures and note the dates

Are you thinking of leaving? What steps are you taking? Also, have you ever said those 3 little words to a partner about them letting you go?

Abuse can happen between anyone. Whether this is between you and a family member, friend or intimate partner. Answer me this:

Do you make excuses for this persons poor behavior?

Do you dread seeing them or feel exhausted with them or after seeing them?

Is there always the same excuse for why they hurt you?

Does this person say that "they" are the victim?

If this person makes you cry, intimidates you, or hurts your feeling more than once a month this is a RED flag. More in today's episode. Stay safe and God bless!

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

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/