“Do not look for healing at the feet of those who broke you” ― Rupi Kaur
In relationships, abuse can be emotional, financial, sexual or physical and can include threats, isolation, and intimidation. In the United States, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner, resulting in around 10 million women and men yearly.
Some signs of relationship abuse might include:
You feel afraid of your partner much of the time
You feel responsible for your partner’s behavior
You don’t have control over your own finances, time and/or space
Your partner criticizes and puts you down
Your partner sees you as property or a sex object rather than as a person
Your partner exhibits extreme controlling behavior, jealousy and possessiveness
Abuse does not just happen between intimate partners but also at work, school settings and between and other relationship types such as parent/child. You can read more about general emotional abuse here.
Support groups are safe spaces structured to allow participants to share personal experiences, feelings, coping strategies and information about abuse and recovery. The discussions often are facilitated by an experienced leader or a medical professional.
People who are being abused may feel hopeless about their situations. Support groups can allow us to make connections, providing tangible benefits to people experiencing relationship abuse.
Benefits of participating in support groups can include:
Reducing feelings of loneliness, isolation and stigma
Getting practical advice or information from others’ experiences
Reducing distress, depression, anxiety or fatigue
Talking openly and honestly about your feelings
Gaining a sense of empowerment, control or hope
Learning about health, economic or social resources
Benefits of online support groups can include:
Faster time to get help, skipping appointment wait time
More frequent or flexible participation
A cost effective way to see a licensed mental health professional
A degree of privacy or anonymity comparing to local community support groups
Opportunities for people in areas with no face-to-face support groups
You are not alone. Herd is ready to support you.