Abuse can be difficult to see or name from the inside. If we suspect or believe someone we care about to be in an abusive relationship, confronting them about it in a way that may feel accusatory has the potential to push them closer to their abuser. The realities of domestic violence are often confusing…
We still have far to go in our understanding and discussion of the violences of men in the United States and abroad. Domestically, there has been increasing recognition in the wake of acts of mass violence in schools that a common trait in each of the perpetrators–who are predominantly young white men–is a history of violence…
If someone had said mental health to me, the first thing that came to mind was mental toughness. Masking pain. Hiding and keeping it in. That’s what was embedded in me since I was a kid. Never show a sign of weakness. It’s funny because now I know [mental health]’s the total opposite. It’s being…
Author’s Note: This editorial is rooted in my personal experience, and my interpretation of the television series, 13 Reasons Why. I am not a professional/expert on suicide or depression, nor am I a clinical psychologist, therapist, or psychiatrist. As a certified Advocate for victim/survivors of sexual violence, I have training and experience in trauma counseling.…
“The question remains about how to bring boys and men along in this ambitious work. Male violence is not simply a behaviour that can be turned on or off, but rather an entire complex of norms, values and practices with deep connections to the social, political and economic order. For men and boys, abandoning violence…
Domestic violence and sexual violence are ultimately acts of power and control, which can be embodied and enacted in a variety of ways. It can be difficult to see our own relationships as violent or abusive if our partner does not use physical force against us. In this article, Kristina Brandt tells the story of…
“The family, friends, and neighbors of our communities are untapped resources in the movement to end intimate violence. They are the people who want to help, but aren’t sure where to start. Restorative justice provides an invitation to the table and the vision: the restoration of healthy human beings and relationships, and the empowerment of…
Statistically speaking, it is incredibly likely that we know, love, and are friends or family with people who have perpetrated sexual violence against a friend, partner, or acquaintance. Coming to terms with that reality is not easy. Accepting that we have a responsibility to them and their partner to speak up may be a difficult…