It’s called “the most wonderful time of the year,” but not everyone finds the holiday season joyous, happy, or merry. In fact, for those who have suffered trauma, hardship, or loss, the holidays can feel triggering and unbearable. Trauma, of course, has no specific definition – what one person defines as trauma, another might not. […]
Whether you’ve experienced domestic violence, or know someone who has, it’s critical to know what services are available. Domestic violence agencies provide life-altering supports, yet few are aware of this. I was 20 years old the day I finally broke free from years of domestic violence. I’d just been physically attacked – something I never […]
Every year, every day, mass numbers of people experience domestic violence. Yet despite this, most people still have no idea what domestic violence actually is. What is considered “domestic violence”? Do you need to be hit? There’s so much misunderstanding and so many myths, and this is one of the greatest reasons domestic violence exists […]
Lives everywhere are being impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. While staying home may be a safe option to fight the virus, it may not be a safe option for those experiencing domestic violence. From job loss to stay-at-home orders, the resulting isolation makes this an incredibly dangerous time for victims of domestic violence. COVID-19 domestic […]
It’s not a shock to hear that teens are dating. But just how many of them are, in fact, dating? And how many of those dating relationships are categorized as teen dating violence? The following teen dating violence statistics might shock you, but it’s important to know them. Personally, as a student, I’d never imagined that […]
When it comes to relationships, the subject of money can sometimes be a huge source of tension and unease. It’s normal to occasionally argue about bills or how money is being spent… but when your partner gets controlling about money, or prevents you from making money of your own, this can be a sign of […]
It’s deemed “the most wonderful time of the year,” but not everyone finds the holidays joyous, happy, or merry. In fact, for those who have suffered trauma, hardship, or loss, the holidays can feel triggering and unbearable. It took me years to be ‘okay’ during the holiday season. I’d look at the calendar every year […]
I wrote this in my journal in my bedroom one night. Age 15. 7:27pm Honestly, nothing is wrong. For some reason, I’m just in the worst mood. A part of me wants to go downstairs and watch TV with Karyssa, but a bigger part of me wants to stay in my room and cry myself […]
Disclaimer: This ‘my story’ series contains language that may potentially trigger those who have experienced or witnessed abuse. Read with discretion. It’s been a while since I last wrote. The end of summer brought a whole slew of events in my world – from traveling to Vegas to speak at the ASIS International GSX Conference, […]
Ever feel like the person you’re with just isn’t treating you right? Feel like you’re on an emotional roller coaster? Trying to figure out how to handle or manage it all? Feeling a bit trapped? … The person you’re dating might be abusive. Here’s 13 signs that the person you’re dating has an abusive personality. 1. […]
Disclaimer: This ‘my story’ series contains language that may potentially trigger those who have experienced or witnessed abuse. Read with discretion. My boy band crush was A.J. from the Backstreet Boys. The other day, my sister asked me if I think this is why I tend to like men with facial hair. I couldn’t help […]
Disclaimer: This ‘my story’ series contains language that may potentially trigger those who have experienced or witnessed abuse. Read with discretion. You can mark this as the last entry I’ll ever bring up that “first guy” again. Why? Well, this isn’t a story about him. And quite honestly, I don’t like writing about it. It […]
Dating abuse. Domestic abuse. It’s an issue that many believe only happens to adults or within certain demographics. When it comes to the notion of “teen dating abuse,” most parents either fail to realize the issue exists, or they prefer to believe it could never happen to their child. In fact, 81% of parents either […]
I am the oldest of three, which means, my parents were strict on me and me alone. As a teenager, I was hardly allowed anywhere. My dad used to drive the streets just to catch me and my best friend walking to the beach. “Ashley! I told you not to take walks!,” he’d yell. Needless […]
High school was a rough start. Despite becoming a new me over the summer, I was met with more ridicule than middle school had ever caused me. The girls hated me. It’s like I’d become the “pretty new girl” in school that might steal everyone’s boyfriend. The crazy part was, I was so innocent. I […]
“Mom, am I ugly?” Those were the words I spoke to my mother when I was seven years old, when I was in the second grade. My mother frowned, melted. “Awww, Ashleeeey, no you’re not ugly… Why would you even ask me that?” I never explained it to her. You see, my second grade teacher […]
Year-round, I tell my story about domestic violence. For many years, it was the only story I told. I’d get asked to speak and I’d share my story about the damaging two-year abusive relationship I experienced as a college student that left me broken and nearly destroyed my life. However, despite my efforts to break […]
Most parents think they know their teen well enough to recognize when something is wrong. But here’s the truth… teens are great at hiding the things that are really wrong. As parents, it’s also easy to dismiss their changes in behavior as “normal adolescence.” For this reason, it’s important that parents know how to identify […]
What do you do when you feel entirely alone? When being alone starts to feel like a big fat “forever” in your life and you have no idea how to manage or deal with it? I’m not talking about feeling like no one “gets” you… I’m talking about what it’s like to feel physically and […]
Despite all the holidays in the year where I painfully miss my mother, Mother’s Day is one I can’t run away from. There’s no way to hide behind everyone’s cordial chatter, about what your holiday plans are, what you’re looking forward to… You can chat all day long about other holidays and hide your pain, […]
