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Author: Amy

Categories
Holidays

When the Holidays Bring Harm: Understanding Domestic Violence During December

woman in a santa hat withchristmas trees in the background looking stressed with text "When the Holidays Bring Harm: Understanding Domestic Violence During December"
woman in a santa hat withchristmas trees in the background looking stressed with text "When the Holidays Bring Harm: Understanding Domestic Violence During December"

The December holidays are often portrayed as a time of joy, togetherness, and celebration. But for many people living with domestic violence, this season brings heightened danger rather than comfort. Research consistently shows that domestic violence incidents increase during the holidays, creating urgent safety concerns for survivors and their families.

Why Violence Escalates During the Holidays

Several factors contribute to the rise in domestic violence during December. Financial stress intensifies as people face pressure to buy gifts, host gatherings, and meet seasonal expectations. Increased alcohol consumption at holiday parties and family gatherings can lower inhibitions and escalate conflicts. Forced proximity during time off work means survivors spend more continuous hours with their harm-doers, with fewer opportunities to seek help or find respite.

The social pressure to present a “perfect family” image can also trap survivors in dangerous situations. Many feel compelled to maintain appearances during holiday gatherings, making it harder to reach out for support or acknowledge the severity of their circumstances.

Recognizing the Signs

Domestic violence takes many forms beyond physical abuse. It includes emotional manipulation, economic control, isolation from friends and family, threats, intimidation, and coercive behavior. During the holidays, you might notice someone who seems anxious about their partner’s reaction to social interactions, makes excuses for injuries or frequent cancellations, or appears increasingly isolated from their support network.

How to Support Survivors Safely

If you suspect someone is experiencing domestic violence, your instinct may be to encourage them to leave immediately. However, leaving an abusive relationship is the most dangerous time for a victim. Research shows that the period during and immediately after separation sees the highest risk of severe violence or homicide. A harm-doer’s need to maintain control often escalates dramatically when they sense they’re losing power over their partner.

Instead of pressuring someone to leave, offer consistent, non-judgmental support. Let them know you’re concerned and available to help without demanding they take specific actions. Respect their timeline and their intimate knowledge of their own situation. Survivors are the experts on their own safety, and they’re often making careful calculations about when and how to leave based on factors outsiders can’t fully see.

You can offer practical support by helping them create a safety plan, which might include identifying safe spaces, keeping important documents accessible, establishing code words with trusted friends, and knowing where to access resources. Listen without judgment, believe what they tell you, and avoid criticizing their choices or their harm-doer, which can push them further into isolation.

Reporting Domestic Violence Responsibly

If you witness domestic violence or believe someone is in immediate danger, calling 911 is appropriate. However, be mindful that involving law enforcement isn’t always the safest option for every survivor, particularly for those in marginalized communities who may face additional risks from police interaction.

When reporting concerns, focus on observable behaviors and specific incidents rather than making assumptions. If you’re reporting on behalf of someone else, understand that this removes their control over the situation and could potentially escalate danger. Whenever possible, support the survivor in making their own decisions about reporting.

Resources and Support

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, confidential support is available 24/7 through the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) or by texting “START” to 88788. Online chat is also available at thehotline.org.

Local domestic violence agencies can provide crisis intervention, safety planning, emergency shelter, legal advocacy, and counseling services. Many organizations offer specialized support for specific communities and can help navigate the complex process of increasing safety, whether that involves leaving or staying.

Community Responsibility

Addressing domestic violence requires community-wide awareness and coordinated response. We all have a role to play in creating a culture that refuses to tolerate abuse, that believes in survivors, and that provides meaningful support without judgment.

This holiday season, the most important gift we can offer survivors is patience, respect for their autonomy, and unwavering support for whatever decisions they make about their own safety. Sometimes the most helpful thing we can do is simply let someone know: I see you, I believe you, and I’m here whenever you need me.

If you’re concerned about someone’s safety, trust your instincts but also trust their expertise in their own lives. Together, we can create communities where everyone can experience true safety and peace, not just during the holidays but every day of the year.

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE)
Crisis Text Line: Text “START” to 88788
Online Chat: thehotline.org

Categories
DVAF

Shining the Light on Domestic Violence Awareness

As another October begins, so does Domestic Violence Awareness Month. While everything in the world turns pink for breast cancer awareness from luncheons to the NFL, domestic violence needs a bigger share of the spotlight. And this year, the timing could not be more urgent. Our movement is facing a perfect storm: a federal shutdown, budget cuts, and the rising costs of food, childcare, and basic needs.

While cuts to cancer research make the news and outrages the public, no one is talking about domestic violence services being slashed, advocates laid off, or their salaries being cut even further. An analogy that is often used, put your oxygen mask on before helping others with theirs, but what if your mask is empty?

I was recently reading a report where an oversight agency kept telling a domestic violence survivor to get dv services. But what does that mean? Does that mean calling a hotline and waiting for hours on the phone to try to get help, only to be told there is no room at the shelter, a months-long waiting list to receive services, or we cannot help you with that? But here is the thing: survivors are not stuck because they lack resilience. They are stuck because the safety net is stretched too thin and survivors are remaining in abusive situations because there is no way out. During COVID, when federal funds flowed, survivors had options, agencies expanded, and safety felt possible. If we could do it then, we can do it now, if we choose to invest.

And investment does not just mean government funding. Possibility is already everywhere. Churches, health care clinics, universities, and community centers — our partners in the Domestic Violence Assistance Fund and the Early Childhood Resiliency Fund — are showing what is possible when more people step in. Imagine if every business, every institution, every neighbor asked: what role can I play in survivor safety?

The answers do not have to be complicated-Challenge yourself to find out what support a domestic violence agency needs- do they need volunteers, do they need money (most will say yes to this!), do they need food, toiletries, or gift cards? Sponsor an event for their staff, offer scholarships for training, and most importantly support their fundraising events by purchasing tickets and bid outrageously on their auction items. Support them like you would  your child’s sports team! And keep doing it all year long!

Most of all, let us change the conversation. People proudly say they “survived cancer.” Survivors of domestic violence should get the same dignity and visibility. No shame, no silence, just humanity and recognition. Do not stop when Halloween rolls around. Survivors need and deserve more than a month of awareness. Survivors and those who work tirelessly to support them need your imagination, your resources, and your everyday action to build a world where safety is the norm, not the exception.

Categories
DVAF

A Celebration of Hope- Domestic Violence Assistance Fund The Nation is Watching Harris County for Guidance

A Celebration of Hope - Domestic Violence Assistance Fund The Nation is Watching Harris County for Guidance

September 23rd, 2025, was a day of celebration for the Harris County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council (HCDVCC) and its community partners as the Domestic Violence Assistance Fund (DVAF) Report was released. The Celebration of Hope was hosted by HCDVCC with the help of Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones and her wonderful staff at the Steve Raddack Community Center.  Over 70 people gathered to hear Commissioner Briones speak about the tremendous impact this fund has had on Harris County and domestic violence survivors.  She praised the amazing work of HCDVCC and the 19 Community Partners who use the DVAF to make a difference in the lives of so many.

Barbie Brashear, the Executive Director of HCDVCC, went on to give a brief history of the origins of the DVAF from CARES dollars and ARPA funds to now being a line item in the Harris County Budget! This would not have been possible without the tremendous support of Harris County Judge Lina Hildago and Commissioners Rodney Ellis, Adrian Garcia, Tom Ramsey, Lesley Briones and of course their hardworking, behind the scenes, making it happen staff members!  Before some of the findings were released, a moving video was shown of DVAF partners talking about the impact DVAF had on their clients.  There was not a dry eye in the house at the end!  Barbie then revealed that in 2024, 1204 households were served with 3,331 individuals supported with 59% of them being children under the age of 18.   Residents of all four Harris County Precincts benefited from the DVAF.   The top needs of those who received DVAF were food (20%), daily living (17%) and rent (17%).   The community impact of these funds can reduce strains on systems, including Emergency Rooms, Law Enforcement and Emergency Services which in turn can create stronger and safer communities by reducing recidivism and decreasing intimate partner homicides. DVAF also invests in long-term stability that can build a healthy Harris County. Barbie ended her remarks with a Call to Action- Give survivors safety and choice, Break barriers and Build futures, Invest in lifesaving solutions, Support local families in crisis, Join a coordinated response, Be part of systemic change, and finally Act now– we must respond in REAL TIME.

Dr. Leila Wood, the Director of Research and Evaluation at the Center for Violence Prevention at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) McGovern Medical School also joined in the celebration by presenting the highlights of the preliminary findings from her research project- Harris County DVAF: Examination of the Impact of Flexible Financial Assistance supported by the National Institute of Justice, Office of Violence Against Women (OVW). Her study is the among the first U.S. based longitudinal study of flexible financial assistance administered by domestic violence focused agencies to collect survivor-centered evidence about the impact of flexible financial funding.   This study is a longitudinal, collaborative, mixed methods designed to examine the use and impact of DVAF for survivors to identify effective implementation strategies among the programs administering the funds.  The study’s goals are to understand the impact of DVAF, explore factors that impact DVAF’s impact, and examine program administration for implementation guidance.

The project has recruited participants from the participating partners by having them fill out a survey and then interviews were conducted of some of the participants as well as the staff at the partner agencies.  The preliminary findings indicate the top ways recipients have found about DVAF was from friends and family (24%), other social service agencies (20%), police/law enforcement (18%) and online research (18%). The findings also reveal that 97% of the participants are women with 83.2% having children under the age of 18 and 71.8% have experienced homelessness due to domestic violence or conflict in their relationship in the last 6 months. The findings revealed that the funds are used for economic, education and employment purposes which include but are not limited to job training, transportation to jobs, laptops for school or work, childcare, and clearing up debt related to barriers for rental or credit history, some have even started small businesses. DVAF also addresses safety and housing related needs as well as family and children’s needs along with health-related needs like medications and counseling. 90% of those surveyed reported that the DVAF helped with their safety. As one survivor put it “There is no doubt he would have killed me if these funds were not available.”

The biggest reveal was the impact DVAF had on the staff that were able to distribute these funds.  Survivors felt connected to and were treated fairly by staff members they interacted with.  The staff interviewed for this study felt they were able to make an impact on the lives of their clients and DVAF allowed them to do their jobs better by addressing critical needs of clients that are not funded in any other way and by adding another tool to the toolbox for client’s safety.  As one advocated stated “So, I mean for me, it just helps, it kinda makes me feel really nice, because it’s like, I’m knowing that this person’s gonna have somewhere to sleep tonight, and they’re gonna be safe.  Or this person’s gonna have gas to be able to leave in the middle of the night as we safety plan to, or they’re gonna have money to feed their little baby for the next couple of days while their food stamps hit.”

Dr. Woods ended her presentation by talking about how the nation is looking to see how Harris County implemented the DVAF so they can try and replicate it in their community.  Many communities have tried but few, if any, have had the success that Harris County has had with DVAF.  The hope is that the County continues to recognize the importance of and the need to keep DVAF funded!

Click this link for more information and to enjoy pictures from the event
Categories
DVAM neurofeedback

How Abuse Can Rewire Your Brain — And Why Healing Means Rewiring It Back

brain health. blue background with a brain and sunbeams coming out from the brain
brain health. blue background with a brain and sunbeams coming out from the brain

When Reese Witherspoon recently reflected on an abusive relationship she had when she was young, she said something powerful: “I had to rewire my brain.” It’s a vivid way of describing something many abuse survivors experience — the ways psychological, verbal, and emotional abuse actually change how your brain works and how you see yourself. By understanding how that happens, we can better support survivors on the path to healing.

What Reese Witherspoon Shared

✔️She left a relationship that was psychologically and verbally abusive.
✔️Afterward, she struggled with insecurity and a diminished spirit. She believed the ugly things her abuser had said.
✔️It took time to “reconstitute” herself — to rebuild self-esteem, self-worth, confidence.

Her story isn’t unique; it reflects what many people experience after leaving abuse. Let’s look at the science behind how abuse “rewires” the brain.

How Abuse Changes the Brain

Here are some of the ways emotional, verbal, or psychological abuse can reshape brain function, identity, and well‑being:

  • Stress Response, Cortisol, and HPA Axis Overload
    Abuse repeatedly activates the brain’s alarm systems. Chronic stress makes it harder to regulate emotions and increases risk for PTSD.
  • Altered Emotion Regulation & Threat Perception
    The amygdala becomes hyperactive, making neutral things feel dangerous. The prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, which help regulate and recall safe memories, weaken.
  • Self‑Image and Sense of Self Distorted
    Repeated messages of worthlessness get internalized and treated as truth. Survivors often believe the abuse was who they are.
  • Changes in Brain Structure
    Emotional and verbal abuse can alter brain regions tied to self-awareness, empathy, and reward processing.
  • Behavioral and Psychological Effects
    Survivors often face anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, difficulty trusting others, and challenges in decision-making.
  • Long‑Term Physical Health Consequences
    Chronic stress can also contribute to health issues like heart disease, sleep problems, and immune disorders.

What “Rewiring” Means — And How Healing Happens

The brain is plastic — meaning it can change. Rewiring isn’t just a metaphor. Healing can happen with time, support, and intentional practices:

  1. Therapies such as CBT, trauma-focused therapy, EMDR, and somatic practices.
  2. Supportive relationships that affirm and respect survivors.
  3. Mindfulness and meditation to calm the stress system.
  4. Self-compassion and reframing negative thoughts.
  5. Safe environments and boundaries.
  6. Gradually practicing new, healthier patterns.

“EMDR is a form of re-processing that helps the brain create new neural pathways to guide clients towards healing. It uses the concept of bi-lateral stimulation to replace the negative emotions, sensation and images associated with the traumatic experience to more positive feelings or desensitizes the client to the negative feelings.” – Mariyam Imtiaz, LCSW – HCDVCC Trauma Support Partner

Why It Matters for HCDVCC & Our Community

  • Awareness: Psychological abuse leaves wounds that are invisible but deeply damaging.
  • Access to Mental Health Resources: Survivors need long‑term support, not just immediate safety.
  • Training: Professionals benefit from understanding how abuse affects the brain, improving survivor support.
  • Prevention: Education helps stop abuse and promotes healthier communication in families and communities.

Reese Witherspoon’s message — “I had to rewire my brain” — reveals the real impact abuse can have. But it also points to hope. The brain can heal, self-worth can be rebuilt, and survivors can find their way back to themselves. If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, know that help and healing are possible. You are more than what was said to you. Your brain can rewire. And one day, you can remember who you are without those painful messages.

Categories
Community Share

Immigration Doc 2025

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Categories
IPV and LGBTQIA Mental Health Awareness Month Sexual Assault

Domestic Violence in the LGBTQIA Community: A Hidden Crisis

 

June is Pride Month, a time to celebrate the diversity and resilience of the LGBTQIA community. However, it is also an important moment to acknowledge and address the significant challenges faced by this community, including domestic violence. Understanding the unique dynamics and statistics surrounding intimate partner violence (IPV) in the LGBTQIA community is crucial for effective prevention and support.

Statistics and Trends
Domestic violence in the LGBTQIA community is a pervasive issue that often goes underreported and underacknowledged. Nationally, research shows that 43.8% of lesbian women and 61.1% of bisexual women have experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner at some point in their lives. For gay and bisexual men, the rates are 26% and 37.3%, respectively. These rates are significantly higher than those reported by heterosexual individuals, indicating a troubling disparity.

In Houston and Harris County, Texas, the situation reflects broader national trends. Domestic violence homicides have increased sharply in recent years, with intimate partner violence homicides in the area doubling from 32 in 2019 to 64 in 2022. The increase in calls to shelters and domestic violence hotlines also highlights the growing need for resources and support for victims in the region.

Why It Happens
Several factors contribute to the high rates of domestic violence in the LGBTQIA community:

  • Stigma and Discrimination: LGBTQIA individuals often face societal stigma and discrimination, which can isolate them and make it harder to seek help.
  • Lack of Support Services: Many domestic violence services are not equipped to handle the unique needs of LGBTQIA individuals, leading to a lack of accessible and appropriate resources.
  • Internalized Homophobia/Biphobia/Transphobia: Internalized negative beliefs about one’s own LGBTQIA identity can contribute to staying in an abusive relationship.
  • Outing as a Threat: Abusers may threaten to “out” their partners to family, friends, or employers as a form of control.

Who Is More Frequently Affected
Certain groups within the LGBTQIA community are more vulnerable to domestic violence:

  1. Transgender Individuals: Transgender people, particularly transgender women of color, experience disproportionately high rates of violence and homicide.
  2. Bisexual Individuals: Bisexual individuals often face abuse from both same-sex and different-sex partners.
  3. Youth: LGBTQIA youth are at higher risk of experiencing dating violence, often compounded by lack of family support.

Tips for Victims of Intimate Partner Violence

  • Reach Out for Help: Contact local LGBTQIA-friendly domestic violence organizations and hotlines. In Houston, the Montrose Center provides specialized services for LGBTQIA individuals facing domestic violence.
  • Create a Safety Plan: Develop a plan that includes safe places to go, people you can call, and important items to take if you need to leave an abusive situation quickly.
  • Document the Abuse: Keep a record of incidents, including dates, times, and descriptions of the abuse. This can be useful for legal action or obtaining protective orders.
  • Seek Legal Protection: Obtain a protective order if necessary. Legal services are available to help navigate this process.
  • Therapy and Support Groups: Engage in therapy or support groups that cater to LGBTQIA individuals to receive emotional support and validation.

Addressing domestic violence in the LGBTQIA community requires a multifaceted approach that includes increasing awareness, improving access to resources, and fostering an environment where victims feel safe and supported to seek help. During Pride Month, and beyond, it is essential to continue advocating for the rights and safety of all individuals within the LGBTQIA community.

For more information on resources and support in the Houston area, you can visit the Montrose Center’s website.

Categories
Mental Health Awareness Month

The Invisible Wounds: How Domestic Violence Leaves Lasting Scars on Mental Health

Domestic violence doesn’t end when someone escapes. Even after the bruises fade and the locks are changed, the impact lingers—especially on mental health. For survivors, the trauma of abuse can be a quiet, constant companion that affects how they think, feel, connect, and function every day. During Mental Health Awareness Month, it’s important to recognize that for many survivors, healing is not just physical—it’s emotional and psychological too.

Abuse Isn’t Just Physical—It’s Psychological

Domestic violence often includes more than physical harm. It can be emotional, verbal, financial, and psychological. Survivors are frequently told they’re worthless, isolated from support systems, stalked, threatened, or financially controlled. Over time, this can completely erode a person’s sense of self and safety.

According to the National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma & Mental Health, survivors of domestic violence experience higher rates of depression, anxiety, PTSD, and suicidal thoughts than the general population. These mental health struggles are not signs of weakness—they’re normal responses to prolonged trauma.

“One of the most harmful impacts of abuse is the way it changes how survivors see themselves and the world around them,” says the center.

The Long Road to Recovery

Many survivors live with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), even years after leaving an abusive partner. Flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, and avoidance behaviors can make everyday life exhausting. Others experience depression, feeling numb, hopeless, or disconnected. Anxiety—about safety, relationships, money, or parenting—is also common.

Some survivors also turn to coping mechanisms like substance use or self-isolation, which can further complicate their recovery.

And yet, mental health support is not always easy to access. For many, the stigma of both domestic violence and mental health struggles keeps them silent. Others face barriers like cost, lack of culturally relevant services, or fear of not being believed.

What Survivors Need Most

Mental health care for survivors needs to be trauma-informed and survivor-centered. That means providers must understand the dynamics of abuse and avoid re-traumatizing the person. Therapy should help survivors regain control over their lives, not shame them for their symptoms.

Support from friends, family, and community also plays a huge role. Just listening without judgment, validating a survivor’s experience, or helping them access resources can make a difference.

As we mark Mental Health Awareness Month, it’s important to remember – healing doesn’t happen on a timeline. Survivors need space, patience, and support.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, confidential help is available. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or visit www.thehotline.org.  Or you can visit one of these for Mental Health assistance:

This is a 24/7 confidential resource for individuals in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. You can call or text 988, or chat online at 988lifeline.org. 

A 24-hour, confidential service for veterans and those who support them, even if they are not enrolled in VA healthcare. You can connect by calling 988, then pressing “1”, or by texting 838255. 

A statewide network connecting individuals with local resources and information, including mental health support. You can call 2-1-1, or dial 2-1-1 option 8 for behavioral health support. 

Provides information on state-funded crisis services and mental health authorities in your county. You can search for local mental health authorities by entering “mental health crisis” along with your ZIP code. 

A confidential and anonymous resource for mental and substance use disorders. 

A website that provides information about treatment facilities and resources for mental and substance use disorders. 

A grassroots organization dedicated to building better lives for individuals affected by mental illness, offering support, education, and advocacy. 

Sources:

Categories
Legacies Womens History Month

Survivor Pioneers and Women Who Transformed the Domestic Violence Movement

Honoring Women’s History Month

March is Women’s History Month, a time to celebrate the achievements and resilience of women who have shaped history. In the fight against domestic violence, many brave women have used their voices, experiences, and leadership to advocate for survivors, push for legal reforms, and build support systems. These pioneers have laid the foundation for today’s domestic violence movement, ensuring that survivors receive the help and justice they deserve.

Survivor Leaders Who Made a Difference

Ruth A. White – The Early Voice for Battered Women

One of the earliest survivor advocates, Ruth A. White helped establish the first shelters for battered women in the 1970s. Recognizing the need for safe spaces for survivors fleeing abuse, she worked tirelessly to create resources and public awareness about domestic violence. Her work laid the groundwork for modern domestic violence shelters nationwide.

Mildred Muhammad – From Survivor to Advocate

Mildred Muhammad, the ex-wife of the D.C. Sniper John Allen Muhammad, turned her personal experience of abuse into a powerful advocacy platform. She speaks about the intersection of domestic violence and coercive control, highlighting the dangers survivors face even after leaving abusive relationships. Through her work, she has helped shift the conversation to include emotional and psychological abuse as critical components of domestic violence.

Leslie Morgan Steiner – Giving a Voice to Survivors

Author and advocate Leslie Morgan Steiner uses her story of surviving an abusive relationship to educate others about the warning signs of domestic violence. Her TED Talk, Why Domestic Violence Victims Don’t Leave, has reached millions worldwide, encouraging people to better understand the complexities of abusive relationships.

Women Who Pioneered the Domestic Violence Movement

Dr. Toby Myers -“Godmother” of the Domestic Violence Movement in Texas

Dr. Toby Myers used her experience as a survivor to become a lifelong advocate for women.  She is a founding member of the Houston Area Women’s Center, often waking her 3 children in the middle of the night to go unlock the house used as the first HAWC shelter for a woman and her children.  She is a founding member of the Texas Council on Family Violence, realizing bringing people together to advocate is the best way to be heard.  She helped create AVDA and started The Pivot Project which has turned into one of the most successful and respected battering intervention programs in Texas.  She has served, mentored, and guided the Harris County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council from day one.  She is the longest tenured Board member of HCDVCC and continues to be active in several HCDVCC committees.   Her passion and dedication to women is a bright light in this often-dreary world.  She is the guiding star to so many. 

Ellen Pence – Transforming the Justice System

Ellen Pence was a leader in changing how the justice system responds to domestic violence. As a co-founder of the Duluth Model, she helped develop the widely used Power and Control Wheel, which illustrates the tactics abusers use to maintain control. Her work has influenced domestic violence intervention programs across the world.

Tiloma Jayasinghe – A Global Advocate for Women’s Rights

Tiloma Jayasinghe has dedicated her career to advocating for survivors on a global scale. As a former leader of Sakhi for South Asian Women, she has worked to provide culturally specific domestic violence services, ensuring that women from immigrant and marginalized communities receive the support they need.

Estér King – A Champion for Policy Reform

Estér King helped shape legislative policies that protect survivors from housing discrimination. Thanks to her advocacy, laws have been enacted to ensure that survivors of domestic violence cannot be evicted simply for experiencing abuse in their homes. Her work has provided stability and security to countless survivors seeking to rebuild their lives.

The Legacy of These Trailblazers

The women highlighted above, along with countless others, have changed the landscape of domestic violence advocacy. From legal reforms to public awareness campaigns, they have fought to make the world safer for survivors. Their contributions continue to inspire new generations of advocates, ensuring that the fight for safety, justice, and empowerment carries on.

As we honor Women’s History Month, let us recognize the courage of survivors and the relentless work of those who have dedicated their lives to ending domestic violence. Their legacy is a reminder that change is possible, and every voice matters in the fight against abuse.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available. Contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit thehotline.org for support.