Worldwide domestic violence reports have risen sharply amid the global pandemic and the lockdowns it has caused, and that’s just the reported cases. Roughly half of domestic abuse cases are never reported. Domestic violence stems from the desire for power and control, and, unfortunately, the coronavirus makes these things more attractive and more easily attainable. Why has the pandemic created such an effect? What are the results? And, finally, what can we do about it? With s

So, while we’ve given a good amount of solid advice for how to respond when your friend says they’ve been abused, we haven’t really expanded on it or why it matters much. So, here we are, and I want to preface this by saying that if it leaves you feeling in any way called out, reach out to the person in the corner of your mind. See, I get it. It’s hard to be the friend when any kind of abuse is involved. I know how hard it is to admit that someone you love is abusive (how do

Abusers in LGBTQ+ relationships, believe it or not, use the same tactics as violent partners in heterosexual relationships, including physical, sexual or emotional abuse, financial control, and isolation. However, research has shown that LGBTQ+ abusers also reinforce those tactics with societal factors that don’t affect heterosexuals the same way. Domestic violence actually occurs at similar or higher rates in LGBTQ+ relationships than in the general population, and it is jus

“Narcissist” is a commonly used label, often describing someone who doesn’t care about the feelings of the people around them. Often the terms “narcissist” and “asshole” are used as interchangeable and it can be confusing to know what narcissism truly is and what it isn’t. People with personality disorders are often painted as vindictive abusers who seek out victims to terrorize. Though there are absolutely many people like that, and though many abusers are narcissists, it’s

There's not a "right thing" to say when your friend tells you she's been assaulted. It's normal to feel confused and even freeze, not knowing how to respond. But even if you didn't respond how you wanted to in retrospect, you can support her well in the weeks and months following. She told you for a reason. Surely you want to fix what happened to her and you want to take the pain away. During this time, you need to be mindful of how you love her. Swooping in to fix all of her

Living with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a constant struggle between the past and present, and it can be easy to get lost in the chaos of our own minds. There’s every good reason in the world to feel confused, so here’s a list of things to try to remember. 1.) You’re not weak It’s easy to look at how difficult it can be to do seemingly simple things and feel incredibly weak and small. PTSD doesn’t happen to people that have had an easy life, and it is no fault of yours t