Ask Amanda

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  Ask Amanda: How Do I Ask for Help?

  One reader knows it’s time to disclose abuse, but she’s not sure where to begin | Q: I need help. My husband has been abusive for years, but I’ve never told anyone be... read more

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  Ask Amanda: Can I Visit a Food Bank?

  No one should feel embarrassed to access healthy and emergency food through a local food bank | Q: Since divorcing my abusive husband, money’s been tight. Some weeks,... read more

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  Ask Amanda: How Do I Make a Household Budget?

  Now that she’s on her own, one survivor strives for financial independence | Q: I’m a 30-year-old woman and I don’t know how to budget my money. My abuser used to c... read more

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  Ask Amanda: I Feel Sorry For My Abuser. Am I Crazy?

  Survivors can cycle through many emotions after leaving an abuser, even sympathy | Q: I was married 12 years [to an abuser], together 5, so total 17 years. I'm stil... read more

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  Ask Amanda: I Have a Bad Feeling About This Guy

  Are you overreacting, or is your gut instinct is trying to tell you something? | Q: I’m 28 and I recently started seeing someone new. He’s charming, outgoing and a ... read more

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  Ask Amanda: What Happens If Shelter Is Worse Than Home?

  Shelters should always hear out survivors’ concerns—what to do if they don’t | Q: At the shelter I’m currently at, there are bed bugs, they were feeding us expired ... read more

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  Ask Amanda: My Elderly Mom Is Being Abused

  When senior partners depend on each other, but one is abusive, what can be done? | Q: My parents are both in their 70s and I’ve suspected for a while now that my fa... read more

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  Ask Amanda: How Do I Get Into a Shelter?

  A survivor wants to know if it’s as simple as knocking on the front door | Q: Do you have to make an appointment to go to a shelter or do you just go and tell them ... read more

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  Ask Amanda: I'm Pregnant With My Abuser's Child

  Some abusers use pregnancy as a way to assert control over their victims | Q: My husband has been abusive for the last four years—physically, emotionally and sexual... read more

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  Ask Amanda: Is My Friend in Danger After She Leaves?

  How to make a second safety plan for after you leave your abuser | Q: My best friend is going to leave her abuser soon. She made a safety plan for when she leaves, ... read more

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  Ask Amanda: My Husband is Hoarding the Health Insurance

  Abuser won’t sign up wife, kids for insurance through his job | Q: My husband turned down health insurance at his new job for myself and my two sons. I didn't know ... read more

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  Ask Amanda: What Is Femicide?

  Murdering women because of their gender is a global epidemic | Q: What is femicide? I keep hearing that term being used when I read about domestic violence—is it so... read more

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  Ask Amanda: I'm Afraid My Partner Is Going to Hurt Our Dog

  Domestic violence and animal abuse are often intricately linked | Q: My husband has a temper, though he’s never actually hit me—he only yells. But lately, whenever ... read more

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  Ask Amanda: Why Didn't My Doctor Ask About Abuse?

  A survivor wishes someone had asked if she needed help | Q: How could doctors miss that I was being abused? When I was admitted for a stroke, injuries to my spinal cor... read more

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  Ask Amanda: How to Keep Going After Abuse

  A survivor isn’t sure how to find support after leaving her abuser | Q: There’s lots of encouragement and support to leave your abuser, but help is seriously lacking o... read more