Script

Finding Your Way Episode #1

Welcome to Finding Your Way, a podcast designed with survivors in mind. Conversations on this show help guide listeners toward finding solutions for safety and support as they navigate life from being a victim to becoming a survivor of violence.

Topic Intro

A map and compass are 2 valuable instruments for a back-country hiker… next to food, water and shelter. If you are lost and have those last 3 items, you may be tempted to stay put and wait for help to come to you. However, if you are equipped with a map and compass you may have more courage and motivation to find the safest way out.

Content

For many victims of abuse; whether it is, physical, emotional, sexual, financial… it can feel very overwhelming to consider a way out of their situation. They feel stuck or lost often believing that they cannot make it on their own financially or even emotionally. Many believe that they are a bad person if they leave an abusive partner even if it is for their own safety. In their desperation to find a solution, they may jump at the first opportunity without considering if there are other options available to them. Even though they do not know the entire situation, friends or family may not be willing to help due to feeling “cast out” because the abuser has isolated their victim from maintaining contact with them. Opinions and advice-giving can overwhelm and cause confusion. This fact remains true for a survivor… they are the only one who knows their situation to its fullest extent. Telling them which move to make next is not the best way to connect them to help. A survivor’s compass can only point them in the right direction if they have an updated map. Knowing up to date information on the community agencies in your hometown is a good first step. Emergency shelter, counseling, peer support, financial aid and life skills classes?... they’re all programs designed to promote well being and restoration of both an individual and their family. Care Lodge provides these services for anyone who has been a victim of domestic violence, dating abuse, stalking and sexual assault. Here, the team’s goal is to rally around the individual and serve as a safety and support system to help point them to the True North on their compass. The map in this scenario is a list of options to increase their safety

-Safe shelter

-Domestic Abuse Protection Order

-Court Advocacy and Representation

-Referrals for forensic interviewing

-Counseling

-Financial Empowerment… the list really could go on AND ON

In the end, we stress the importance of “listening to our gut”. When someone you care about tells you they love you, but their actions do not match up your definition of love… your gut reaction may set off a response inside of you that says… This hurts! I thought love was supposed to make me feel safe… lifted up? And your gut would be right.

Stay Connected

If you want to know more about what was shared on today’s podcast, check out the links provided in the show notes or visit us online at carelodge.com

Make sure to follow Care Lodge on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Snapchat, www.carelodge.com

Care Lodge Help Line 601.693.HOPE (4673)

National Domestic Abuse Hotline1-800-799-7233