Clear information. No judgment. Real help.
Knowledge is protective — for survivors, families, and communities. Explore each topic below at your own pace.
This page is for information. For live crisis support, visit our Emergency Help page.
What is domestic violence?
A pattern of behavior used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another in an intimate relationship. It is rarely a single incident — and it is never the survivor’s fault.
The Cycle of Abuse
Tension Building
Stress and control tighten; walking on eggshells begins.
Incident
Abuse occurs — physical, verbal, emotional, or sexual.
Reconciliation
Apologies, gifts, or promises — the "honeymoon" phase.
Calm
A period of relative peace, before tension builds again.
Recognizing the signs
- ✓Isolating you from friends, family, or support systems
- ✓Monitoring your phone, location, or communications
- ✓Controlling money, access to work, or transportation
- ✓Threats — to you, your children, pets, or themselves
- ✓Extreme jealousy, blame, or unpredictable mood swings
Who it affects
Domestic violence happens across every gender, age, income level, and relationship type — including LGBTQ+ relationships, elder abuse, and teen dating violence. Immigration status, disability, or financial dependence can make leaving even harder — and support should account for that.
Impact on children
Children who witness abuse at home can experience trauma similar to direct victims. Our resources include guidance for parents on talking to kids and finding child-specific support.
Myths vs. Facts
What is sex trafficking?
The recruitment, transport, or harboring of a person through force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of sexual exploitation. It can happen to anyone, anywhere — including within one’s own community or home.
Recruitment tactics & warning signs
- ✓A sudden "boyfriend" or "employer" who is much older or controlling
- ✓Unexplained gifts, travel, or sudden change in appearance
- ✓Not in control of their own ID, phone, or money
- ✓Signs of coaching before speaking, or a scripted story
- ✓Online: being asked to move a conversation to a private app quickly
Labor vs. sex trafficking
Trafficking isn’t limited to sexual exploitation — labor trafficking forces people into work through similar coercive tactics. Both share the core elements of force, fraud, or coercion, and both deserve the same urgency of response.
Survivor recovery journey
Recovery is rarely linear. Trauma-informed case management, safe housing, legal advocacy (including trafficking-specific visas where applicable), and long-term mental health support all play a role.
Myths vs. Facts
See something that concerns you?
Learn how to report safely and connect a potential victim with confidential help.
Understanding consent, assault & abuse
Sexual abuse is any non-consensual sexual contact or behavior. Consent must be freely given, reversible, informed, enthusiastic, and specific — anything less is not consent.
If abuse has just happened
- ✓Get to a safe place and, if injured, seek medical care
- ✓You can request a forensic exam even if unsure about reporting
- ✓Reach a crisis line for a trained advocate to walk you through options
- ✓You are never obligated to report to move forward with care
Warning signs in relationships & institutions
Grooming behavior — excessive gift-giving, secrecy, boundary-testing, or isolating a person from peers — often precedes abuse, whether by a partner, family member, or someone in a position of authority (coach, clergy, employer).
Healing after abuse
Trauma-informed therapy, survivor support groups, and time without judgment all support healing. There is no "right" timeline for processing what happened.
Myths vs. Facts
Confidential support is available now
Trained advocates can talk through your options — reporting, medical care, or simply being heard.
The link between abuse and housing instability
Fleeing an abusive home is one of the leading causes of homelessness for women and families. Without a safety net, many survivors face an impossible choice between an unsafe home and no home at all.
Signs of housing instability
- ✓Frequently moving between friends' or family's homes
- ✓Facing eviction after leaving an abusive partner
- ✓No independent income or access to shared finances
- ✓Teens and young adults pushed out after disclosing abuse
How we help
Emergency shelter referrals, transitional housing programs, rapid re-housing assistance, and help navigating rental assistance and tenant rights — paired with the safety planning survivors need to stay housed long-term.
Beyond the home: broader forms of violence
Violence against women spans far more than domestic settings — from the workplace to online spaces. Understanding its full scope helps everyone respond earlier.
Workplace Harassment
Unwanted advances, quid-pro-quo pressure, or a hostile work environment — and how to document and report it.
Online Harassment & Stalking
Digital abuse, GPS tracking, doxxing, and coordinated harassment — plus steps to lock down your digital safety.
Emotional & Psychological Abuse
Manipulation, gaslighting, and control that leave no visible mark but lasting harm.
Healing is possible — and it looks different for everyone
Trauma from abuse, exploitation, or housing instability can affect mental health long after the danger has passed. Understanding these effects is the first step toward recovery.
PTSD
Flashbacks, hypervigilance, and avoidance following a traumatic event or sustained abuse.
Anxiety & Depression
Persistent worry, low mood, or loss of interest — common, treatable responses to trauma.
Complex Trauma
The cumulative effect of prolonged abuse, often requiring specialized, trauma-informed care.
The recovery journey
Healing is not linear — good days and setbacks can coexist. Trauma-informed therapy approaches like EMDR, CBT, and somatic therapy help process trauma at a survivor’s own pace.
Coping & grounding techniques
Simple grounding exercises (naming five things you can see, hear, and feel) can help manage overwhelming moments between therapy sessions.
Supporting a survivor's mental health
Listen without trying to fix. Avoid pressuring timelines for "moving on." Encourage — never insist on — professional support, and take care of your own wellbeing too.