SURVIVORS OF INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE
We bring curiosity and humility to our helping relationships, and are committed to honoring the many layers of you.
How Interpersonal Violence Can Impact You
Interpersonal violence is a shockingly common experience for individuals in romantic relationships – for female identified folks, 25% will experience violence, while 67% of trans folx will be victimized by a romantic partner. Abuse can take many forms, impacting all areas of a person’s life. Recovering from violence requires incredible courage, support, and being connected to resources such as housing and transportation.
Safety is generally the first priority for folx in violent relationships. But when and if we are able to find a way out; the work of healing involves education about healthy boundaries and expectations, as well as learning to trust ourselves and others.
You may have experienced domestic or sexual violence if:
- Your partner requires you to check in or monitors your movements
- Your partner uses physical intimidation such as blocking doors, throwing objects or destroying property when angry
- Your partner calls you names, ridicules you, or is critical about your body
- Your partner pressures you to engage in sexual activity.
Getting Support
A great first step toward safety and healing is finding a trusted professional with a background in interpersonal violence. They can help you learn about the cycle of violence and how abusers use power and control to maintain the relationship.
Once you are safely out of an abusive relationship, the healing work can really begin. Violence in the context of a relationship that is supposed to be safe, loving, and supportive can wreak havoc on our nervous systems and our ability to trust.
Integrating violent experiences may include:
- Learning how to soothe yourself
- Learning how to reconnect to feelings of safety
- Re-learning about your preferences, likes and dislikes
- Urges to become violent yourself in new relationships
- Exploring early childhood experiences that may have impacted your vulnerability to the initial stages of the abusive relationship (the honeymoon or love-bombing phase).
Learn More
Here are some great resources for continued learning:
LGBTQ Intimate Partner Violence
Surviving: Why We Stay and How We Leave Abusive Relationships
