Abuse is a term that refers to the mistreatment, harm, or infliction of injury on someone, either through physical, emotional, verbal, sexual, or other means. Abuse can occur in various contexts, including relationships, families, institutions, and broader social settings. It is a serious violation of an individual’s rights and can have profound and lasting effects on their physical, emotional, and psychological well-being.
Recognising Coercive Control Through Social Isolation One of the most devastating signs of coercive control is when every close friend who knows about the abuse eventually drifts away — not by accident, but because the abuser orchestrates it. They bad-mouth, twist facts, and plant seeds of doubt until the friendships crumble. Victims are left not… Read More When Abusers Turn Friends Into Enemies:
If this is the very last thing I do, let it be this: to help others see what I could not see soon enough. To shine a light on the hidden signs of abuse — the red flags that so often get dismissed as “just stress” or “just a bad mood.” If I can help… Read More 🌿 If My Story Can Save One Life
When Family Fails: Understanding the Psychology Behind Protecting Yourself from Betrayal Discovering abuse in a close relationship is already a profoundly destabilizing experience. Often, our first instinct is to reach out for support, including to the family of the person who has harmed us, hoping for acknowledgment or help. Psychologically, this is understandable: we seek… Read More Reclaiming Your Agency
When someone has suffered abuse (physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, or financial), the first steps toward safety and healing can feel overwhelming. Having a gentle, structured roadmap can help. Here are steps to take when you’ve experienced abuse of any kind: 1. Ensure Immediate Safety 2. Reach Out for Support 3. Care for Your Body & Nervous… Read More Reach Out for Support
Abuse can be confusing because the lines between categories often blur—but having clear definitions and a checklist can help you recognize patterns and validate your experience. Here’s a breakdown of physical, emotional, psychological, and financial abuse, along with signs to watch for: 1. Physical Abuse Definition:Intentional use of force that causes pain, injury, or the threat… Read More Physical, emotional, psychological, and financial abuse
📱 Digital Safety Checklist for Survivors 🔍 Before Reaching Out 📞 If You Call a Helpline 💬 If You Text or Chat 🚪 Emergency Plan 🧹 After Using Digital Help 🌱 Ongoing Safety ✨ Remember: even one tiny step (like memorizing a number or opening a help site once) is an act of strength. This checklist… Read More 📱 Digital Safety Checklist for Survivors
Many survivors want to reach out for help, but the very act of calling or using digital tools can feel dangerous if they are being monitored, gaslit, or controlled. The safety piece is critical. Here’s a trauma-informed, practical guide: 🔐 How to Safely Access Digital or Phone-Based Help 1. Assess Your Digital Safety First 2. Know the… Read More 🔐 How to Safely Access Digital or Phone-Based Help
Abuse doesn’t always start with something that looks “dangerous.” It can creep in slowly—controlling behaviour, put-downs, silent treatments, financial restrictions—before escalating into real threats to safety. The shift from “abuse” to “dangerous abuse” is often when the abuser begins crossing invisible lines of safety, and it can happen gradually or suddenly. Here are some key… Read More Dangerous
When someone has lived through years of abuse, the lingering threat often extends far beyond the relationship itself. The danger isn’t always in daily encounters—it’s in the knowledge that the person who caused harm could, at any moment, intrude, manipulate, or escalate their behavior. For survivors, freedom isn’t just about leaving physically—it’s about creating psychological… Read More Breaking Free: Understanding the Psychological Safety in Distance from an Abuser
Money and love are supposed to flow in partnership — trust, shared goals, and security. But for many, financial arrangements in relationships become a weapon rather than a bond. One of the most insidious forms of control is financial abuse, a dynamic where one partner manipulates resources, property, and obligations to entrap or exploit the other.… Read More When Love Becomes a Ledger: The Psychology of Financial Abuse
