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Identifying Abuse

When Masculinity Is Toxic

Traits men learn as boys can be dangerous—to them, and to the women in their lives | We hear a lot about “toxic masculinity” these days—a term often loaded with assump... read more
Are Abusers Narcissists, Psychopaths or Sociopaths?

The differences between these three personality disorders | When describing an abusive partner, the terms narcissist, psychopath and sociopath often get thrown around.... read more
Postpartum Depression Linked to Domestic Violence

New moms experiencing abuse need to find support and a way out | Postpartum depression, or PPD, is a mental health issue that at least 1 in 7 moms struggle with after ... read more
The Silent Treatment: An Abuser's Controlling Tactic

Ignoring another person is a strong communication of power and control | Refusing to listen, talk or respond to a partner is sometimes called “the silent treatment” or... read more
Netflix's You is a Roadmap to Dating Violence

Come for the thrills, stay for the education | If you haven’t yet binge-watched the first season of the Netflix series You, strap in. It’s a riveting psychological thr... read more
How to Ask About Abuse

There’s a right and a wrong way to inquire if you’re concerned | Have you ever gotten an “off” feeling about a friend’s, loved one’s or coworker’s partner? Maybe the s... read more
Helping Hasidic Jews Escape Domestic Violence

Understanding their culture, we can help survivors choose their own path | “When I left my husband so my kids and I could survive, the community left me.” The above q... read more
When Abusers Turn on the Charm

Tricking friends and family into believing they could never be cruel is an abuser’s forte | Who doesn’t love someone who can charm their way through a dinner party wit... read more
The Frightening Roles Abusers Can Play

Which one fits the abuser you’ve dealt with? | You’ve heard people say it’s helpful to put a face to a name, like when you meet someone in person for the first time af... read more
From Romance to Isolation: Understanding Grooming

Anyone can fall for the clever manipulations of an abusive partner | Most relationships that become violent or controlling do not start that way. Rather, they often be... read more
When Survivors Believe They're Responsible for Ending Abuse

Some abusers convince survivors that abuse is their fault, and survivors take responsibility for everything | One way abusers control domestic violence survivors is by... read more
Possessiveness: The Precursor to Power and Control

Eight signs you should run before the abuse begins | We’re taught from a very young age that jealousy and possessiveness are signs of true love. If you need proof, loo... read more
Abusers Use Suffocation as a Power Move

The potentially deadly effects are the same as being strangled | We know that abusers strangle their victims as a way to exert power and control over them—they want th... read more
How to Survive Gaslighting

Four tactics for learning to trust your intuition again | I know what happened. I’m not imagining things. Am I imagining things? %{email_signup} He’s right, I must ... read more
Sleep Deprivation Used as Abuse Tactic

Some abusers punish survivors for falling asleep, then for making mistakes when exhausted | Domestic violence survivors often find they have trouble sleeping, and for ... read more