Category Archives

Domestic Violence

silhouette of woman with gun

Stop Blaming Mental Illness for Gun-Related Violence

By Kristance Harlow | April 29, 2022 |
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With painkillers like OxyContin, the overdose reversal drug naloxone, and detox/maintenance medications like Suboxone, the pharmaceutical industry is making a profit off people addicted to opioid at every stage. Opioids are highly addictive and sometimes, especially in combination with other drugs, deadly.

woman with half face as mirror of man

Alcohol and Rape Prosecutions: Consent, Intoxication, and Memory

By Kristance Harlow | April 29, 2022 |
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Victim blaming is a defense mechanism for bystanders to feel safe by falsely imagining that it “could be avoided if…” or “that can’t be the real story.” Content Warning: discussions of sexual assault In allegations of sexual assault, if there are no physical injuries and a lack of DNA evidence, the court of public opinion…

Dangerous Words and the Internet

By Kristance Harlow | December 28, 2018 |
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If I was home without a parent, I knew to answer the phone and say mom is in the shower or that dad is mowing the lawn. I knew to not open the door if anyone came knocking. I didn’t know I needed the same cautious self-protection when I logged on.

The Persuasive Mind Tricks of Abusers

By Kristance Harlow | November 16, 2018 |
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If abusers are such assholes, how do they get someone to fall in love with them in the first place? Easy, they’re not just assholes, they’re often charismatic and attractive. Oh, and very persuasive.

The Truth About Sexual Assault

By Kristance Harlow | October 28, 2018 |
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Breaking down some of the most devastating and important statistics about sexual violence.

woman sitting inside looking at a fire outside

Yes, Things Get Worse Before Things Get Better

By Kristance Harlow | September 26, 2018 |
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One thing about trauma in PTSD is that it starts to show itself when you’re safe(r) than before. Our brains are working on overdrive trying to protect us and to handle all the threats and to keep us alive after the earth shattering trauma(s) we lived through. We feel scared because we know how bad…

Couple sitting against a wall

Relationship Red Flags: Are You Dating an Abuser?

By Kristance Harlow | August 21, 2018 |
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Trust your intuition, relationship red flags aren’t easy to identify, but there are warning signs. Are you dating an abuser?

Lack of Resistance is Not Consent, It’s Assault

By Kristance Harlow | January 4, 2018 |
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Sexual assault and harassment boil down to a violation of one basic principle: consent. Never assume consent. Lack of resistance is not consent.

Hugs

Where to Get Help for Suicide or a Mental Health Crisis

By Kristance Harlow | December 28, 2017 |
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A comprehensive listing of suicide intervention and crisis support hotlines and contacts. Talk to someone via chat, text, phone, or email. Find help for yourself or someone else.

Why I am airing my dirty laundry

By Kristance Harlow | December 17, 2017 |
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There is a lot of value in talking about survival and moving forward in life. It is important to see what the future can hold, but when you feel alone in the thick of sorrow the only thing that you want is to feel less alone.

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call your local emergency number. The numbers listed here are the commonly used numbers for the stated region, the numbers can vary greatly depending on where you live. If you don't know your country's equivalent to 911, this wiki page and The Lifeline Foundation have comprehensive listings.

Americas

911

The Americas

Europe

112

Europe

Africa

112 & 999

Africa

Asia

112, 999, 110

Asia

Oceania

112, 911, 999, 111, & 000

Oceania

Find help for a crisis by texting, calling, or chatting online with these free crisis organizations. Looking for one outside of the USA? Check out our support listings.

Crisis Text Line
Text: “HOME” to 741741

Suicide Lifeline
Text: “ANSWER” to 839863
Call: 1-800-273-8255

Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-7233
1-800-787-3224 (TTY)

Child Abuse Hotline
1-800-422-4453

The Trevor Project
Text “START” to 678678
1-866-488-7386

These online and international resources may help you anywhere you are located. Looking for local support outside of the USA? Check out our support listings.

DV Support Abroad
Call toll-free worldwide
1-833-723-3833

I'm Alive Virtual Crisis Center
Live chat with trained volunteers

Crisis Connections
24/7 crisis support with interpretation in 155+ languages