#Refuse2BSilent

Opening the Conversation Around Sexual Assault: Breaking the Cycle of Silence

For too long, sexual assault has been a taboo topic in our society. We often think that by not talking about it, we can make it go away, but that is simply not the case. It's time to have an open and honest conversation about the issue of sexual assault and how we can prevent it from happening in the first place. The Effects of Sexual Assault Sexual assault is a traumatic experience for anyone who has gone through it. It can cause physical and emotional harm that may last for

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Recognizing and Escaping Financial Abuse in Relationships

Team Shining Light

Recognizing and Escaping Financial Abuse in Relationships

Financial abuse is a form of domestic violence that affects both men and women. It is often difficult to recognize, as it can be subtle and hard to detect. Financial control in an abusive relationship usually involves one partner controlling all the finances, including withholding money or assets from the other person. This type of abuse can lead to severe psychological and financial consequences. In order to recognize financial abuse, there are certain warning signs you shou

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Taking Action to End Sexual Assault and Intimate Partner Violence

Team Shining Light

Taking Action to End Sexual Assault and Intimate Partner Violence

As a society, we don't like to discuss sexual assault and intimate partner violence openly, but it's an issue that needs to be addressed. Statistics show a significant percentage of individuals will experience some form of sexual violence during their lifetime, so it’s important that everyone is educated on the gravity of these issues and how we can better prevent them in our society. Raising awareness about the prevalence, consequences and potential solutions to sexual assau

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The Cycle of Homelessness and Domestic Violence: A Story of Struggle, Survival, and Hope

Team Shining Light

The Cycle of Homelessness and Domestic Violence: A Story of Struggle, Survival, and Hope

Domestic violence is a grave concern for families all over the world. In the United States alone, 1 in 4 women experiences it at some point in their lives. But what many people don’t know is that domestic violence is often a leading cause of homelessness. It’s a heartbreaking cycle that can be difficult to break, and one that many women are still struggling with today. The first step in understanding this issue is recognizing the multiple forms domestic violence can take. Phy

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How Do I Know If I'm in an Unhealthy Relationship?

Flo DeVaul-Dudley

How Do I Know If I'm in an Unhealthy Relationship?

Regardless of if it's romantic, sexual, or even platonic, if it hurts or scares you, it’s not love. Unhealthy relationships can hurt your mental and physical health, so it’s important to be able to recognize when you’re in one. Some signs of an unhealthy relationship include: -Lack of respect for boundaries or personal space -Frequent criticisms and judgment -Controlling behavior, such as dictating who you can talk to and where you can go -Gaslighting, or deliberately manipu

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Team Shining Light

Religion and Domestic Violence

All too often, when we think about domestic violence, we picture a husband hitting his wife. But the truth is that domestic violence can happen in any type of relationship. It doesn't discriminate based on gender, race, or religion. In fact, domestic violence is a serious problem in the religious community. And it's one that we can no longer ignore. According to a study by FaithTrust Institute, 60% of religious leaders say they've been contacted by someone in their congregati

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Why does the system keep failing people of color affected by domestic violence?

ED Dudley

Why does the system keep failing people of color affected by domestic violence?

The systemic failure of people of color affected by domestic violence is not a new phenomenon. For centuries, marginalized communities have been denied access to the resources necessary to report and seek help for abuse. This lack of access has only been exacerbated by inequities in power and wealth that limit their ability to seek legal assistance or take advantage of other forms of support. Additionally, there are cultural considerations that have made it difficult for peop

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The Dark Side of the Holidays: Why Domestic Violence Increases around Christmas Time

Team Shining Light

The Dark Side of the Holidays: Why Domestic Violence Increases around Christmas Time

For many people, the holidays are a time for joy, family, and good cheer. But for others, the holiday season is a time of stress, financial strain, and yes, unfortunately, domestic violence. Though it may seem counterintuitive, studies have shown that there is in fact a correlation between the two. So why does domestic violence increase around the holiday season? Let's take a closer look. One reason why domestic violence may increase during the holidays is due to the stress t

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Team Shining Light

What is Consent?

We've all heard the phrase "no means no." But what does that mean? When it comes to sexual assault, consent is often misunderstood. Too many people believe that as long as someone doesn't say "no," it's okay to proceed. But that's not true. Just because someone doesn't say "no" doesn't mean they're saying "yes." For consent to be given, there must be a clear and enthusiastic "yes." If you're not sure whether someone has consented, the best thing to do is to ask. It's always b

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A Special Acknowledgement for Veterans Who Have Survived Military Sexual Assault

Team Shining Light

A Special Acknowledgement for Veterans Who Have Survived Military Sexual Assault

Today is Veterans Day, and while I honor all veterans who have served in our military, I want to give a special acknowledgment to those veterans who have suffered and survived the trauma of military sexual assault (MST). We see you. We hear you. And we will continue to be advocates for you. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, MST is "a criminal offense that can include inappropriate sexual comments, threats, advances, or unwanted sexual contact that happens while

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ED Dudley

Men, Together We Can Make A Difference

When it comes to sexual assault and domestic violence, I never wanted to be the one standing in the front, speaking out about these issues. It's not something that I ever thought I would be called to do. Nevertheless, here I am. Sometimes we choose our callings and other times our callings choose us. And I believe that this is my calling. To be a man who speaks up and speaks out for those who can't or don't speak for themselves. To be a support for those who need it. To be a

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A Tribute to the Victims and Survivors of Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence

ED Dudley

A Tribute to the Victims and Survivors of Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence

We all know too well the power of sharing our stories. In doing so, we help to heal ourselves while also giving others permission to do the same. For victims and survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence, sharing their stories can be a particularly daunting task. They may feel like they're reliving the trauma all over again or that no one will believe them. They may worry that they'll be blamed or that they won't be able to get justice. And yet, despite all of these f

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Speak Up to Help End Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault

Team Shining Light

Speak Up to Help End Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault

Domestic violence and sexual assault are two very serious problems that impact far too many individuals in this country. It's time we all started speaking out about them. Only then can we begin to make a real difference. The statistics surrounding domestic violence and sexual assault are staggering. In the United States, it is estimated that one in four women will be a victim of domestic violence during her lifetime. And, according to the National Sexual Violence Resource Cen

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Team Shining Light

The Other 334 days of the Year

For the past 31 days, we've brought you information and stories related to domestic violence awareness month. While October is set aside as a time to bring attention to this important issue, we need you to partner with us the other 334 days of the year to continue to advocate for victims and survivors. During Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we remember those who have lost their lives at the hands of someone they loved. We also honor the strength and courage of survivors wh

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Guest Writer

On the Other Side of the Door

Prayers are being answered and hope is restored. After years of being on the other side of the door, I am finally free from domestic violence. I can see my children grow up, get an education, and have a future. I never thought this day would come, but it did. And it's all thanks to the people who helped me along the way. Everything Prayed For When I was first introduced to my ex-husband, I knew he was the one. We started dating and things seemed perfect. He was charming, atte

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It's Time to Start Talking About Domestic Violence

Team Shining Light

It's Time to Start Talking About Domestic Violence

Too often, we stay silent on the issue of domestic violence. It's time to break the silence. Domestic violence is a problem that touches every single one of us. We all know someone who has been impacted by it, even if we don't realize it. And yet, we don't talk about it nearly enough. This must change because domestic violence thrives in silence. The more we stay silent, the more power it has. So, let's start talking about it. Let's break the silence and bring this issue out

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Life After Domestic Violence: Where Dreams Come True

Team Shining Light

Life After Domestic Violence: Where Dreams Come True

Oprah once said, "The greatest discovery of all time is that a person can change his future by merely changing his attitude." This is especially true for survivors of domestic violence. These women have faced some of the darkest times in their lives, and yet they continue to fight—not just for themselves, but for their children, their families, and their future. These women are warriors, and they deserve to be celebrated. That's why I'm so excited to share this story with you

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Team Shining Light

In the Shadows of Abuse

I am a woman who lives in the shadows. I go about my daily life with a smile on my face, but in the shadows of my home, I am scared. My partner is abusive and I have been living in fear for too long. However, I have finally regained my happiness and I want to share my story with you. I grew up in a loving home with two parents who always put me first. From a young age, I learned that I deserved respect and that no one had the right to hurt me. So, when I met my partner, I tho

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Why We Need to Talk about Teenage Domestic Violence

Team Shining Light

Why We Need to Talk about Teenage Domestic Violence

Every day, we read news stories about domestic violence. Most of the time, these stories focus on adult victims and perpetrators. But what we often forget is that domestic violence doesn't just happen to adults; it happens to teenagers, too. In fact, 1 in 3 teenage girls in the United States will be a victim of physical, emotional, or verbal abuse from a dating partner before she turns 18 years old. That's a staggering statistic—and one that we need to start talking about mor

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Guest Writer

Felecia's Story: Why I Stayed

For years, I suffered abuse at the hands of my husband. He would hit me, call me names, and make me feel like I was nothing. But I refused to give up. I kept fighting, even when it felt like there was no hope. Finally, one night after yet another violent altercation, I'd had enough. I gathered my belongings and fled to a women's shelter. There I found safety and support among other survivors of domestic violence. With the help of the shelter staff, I began to rebuild my life.

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