Can He Rape Me if We’re Married?
Marital rape is a very real—and very illegal—offense By Amanda Kippert This piece was originally published in 2014. It was updated in 2023. Marital rape is a serious form of…
Survivor Story: Lorel Stevens
Young, vulnerable and trusting, she lived through abuse hoping to find love By DomesticShelters.org It started with comments about her clothing—her skirt was too short, and he didn’t want her…
How to Protect Yourself From Post-Separation Abuse
An abuser might use these tactics to try to keep their hold on you even after you escape. Here are some strategies you can use to stay safe By Stephanie…
Fragmented Memories: How Trauma Can Cause Memory Loss
Our brains can be injured by both physical and psychological abuse By Amanda Kippert A domestic violence survivor calls the police after her abusive partner is violent. It isn’t the…
A Guide to Healthy Relationships
Signs that indicate you’re in a healthy relationship with a safe partner By Amanda Kippert If you’re on this site, you likely know something about unhealthy relationships, toxic individuals, red…
Why It’s Important to Say “Died By Domestic Violence”
Using accountable language holds abusers accountable for murder By Amanda Kippert Do a quick scan of the headlines and you’re likely to see a few stories about homicide. Statistically speaking,…
Four Signs Your Teen Is Experiencing Burnout After Trauma
The signs of burnout and why it’s important parents don’t ignore them By Amanda Kippert We know that after any kind of trauma, including domestic violence, the after-effects can manifest…
When 911 Can’t Find You
Calling for help from a cell phone might make it hard to track you down. Smart911 helps emergency responders get to you By DomesticShelters.org True or false? If you call…
Who Did You Tell When You Were Ready to Leave?
The reason many survivors keep their escape plans a secret By DomesticShelters.org “I secretly planned it with my mom, brother and sister-in-law.”“I told a close friend and my pastor.”“I told…
Leaving an Abuser When You Live Apart
Why the break-up speech needs to come from a distance By Amanda Kippert We often say that it’s not as easy as simply walking out the door when someone is…