Many domestic violence organizations claim to be safe havens for survivors, but in reality, some have become just another form of abuse. These agencies, which are supposed to provide protection and support, are instead exploiting the very people they claim to help. They manipulate government funding and public donations, using survivors as pawns in their money-making schemes while offering little to no real assistance.
From my own experience navigating the system in Indiana, I’ve seen firsthand how these organizations operate more like organized crime groups than advocacy centers. They control survivors through coercion, retaliation, and gatekeeping of resources. When I spoke up about mistreatment, I was blacklisted, denied help, and ultimately pushed further into instability. These agencies weaponize bureaucracy and false promises, trapping survivors in a cycle of dependence while ensuring their funding continues to flow.
What’s worse is that there is little to no oversight. These organizations are trusted blindly, yet they misuse their power to silence victims rather than uplift them. They exploit trauma for profit, pocketing funds meant for housing, legal aid, and job support. The system is rigged to benefit them—not the people suffering.
It’s time to expose the truth: some domestic violence agencies are not saviors; they are abusers in disguise. Survivors deserve real help, not to be used as a means for financial gain while being left to fend for themselves.