Experiencing abuse as a child can have serious, long-term effects on an individual. There are many factors that play into how abuse affects a child including the child’s age and developmental level when the abuse occurred. Children who are abused and neglected may suffer immediate physical injuries such as cuts, bruises, or broken bones. They may also have emotional and psychological problems, such as anxiety or posttraumatic stress.
The first step in helping children who have been abused or neglected is learning to recognize the signs of child abuse. The presence of a single sign does not necessarily mean that abuse is occurring in a family, but a closer look at the situation may be warranted when these signs appear repeatedly or in combination.
Each year, approximately 304 million children between the ages of 3-17 are at risk of exposure to domestic violence. Although many children who experience abuse do not become violent later in life, there is a substantial risk that violence in the family is transferred from generation to generation.
Child abuse and neglect are serious public health issues that affect millions of children each year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), at least 1 in 7 children have experienced child abuse or neglect in the past year in the United States.
Brain Injury Awareness Month is a dedicated period for recognizing the causes and raising awareness to eliminate the stigma surrounding brain injuries. It is also a time to recognize those with brain injuries related to domestic violence and let them know they are not alone. Violence directed at the head, neck, and face can have long-lasting consequences. Any time you are hurt in this way, it should be taken seriously.
Women’s History Month is a celebration of women’s contributions to history, culture, and society held annually in March. This years theme is: “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion”, recognizing women, past and present, who understand that, for a positive future, we need to eliminate bias and discrimination entirely from our lives and institutions.
Each February, Journey Center raises awareness about teen dating violence through Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (TDVAM). This annual effort focuses on advocacy and education to stop dating abuse before it starts. This is an issue that impacts everyone, not just teens, but their parents, friends and communities as well. This year’s theme, “Love Like That,” amplifies the voices of teens and young adults by supporting and uplifting positive, healthy, and safe relationships and calls on all of us to create a world free of relationship abuse.
Black History Month is a time to celebrate and honor the achievements of Black Americans and their central role in U.S. history. In honor of Black History Month, Journey Center want honors Black activists who have impacted the gender-based violence movement.
These are just a few of the influential Black voices who have made history as part of the anti-violence movement. Journey Center is grateful to these, and many other, Black activists for leading the way.
Every year, we set aside the month of January in support of the millions of people across the country who are survivors of stalking. National Stalking Awareness Month (NSAM) is an annual call to action to recognize and respond to the serious crime of stalking.
Stalking is a form of gender-based violence and frequently co-occurs within domestic violence. Stalking is defined as a pattern of behavior directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to feel fear.
Coping with trauma looks different for everyone. Learning healthy coping strategies will not only help you feel stronger mentally and emotionally, if you or someone you care about has experienced or been impacted by abuse, but they can also lessen your chances of experiencing abuse in the future.
The holiday season is approaching, and while many of us look forward to celebrating with family and friends, this time of year can present some unique challenges for individuals and families impacted by or experiencing domestic violence. It’s hard to be surrounded by joy when you’re healing from trauma.
It can be hard to know how to help a loved one who is experiencing domestic violence. You may be worried about saying the wrong thing, but it is important to know that it is OK to say something. When someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, the way you talk and listen to them makes all the difference.
Domestic violence can affect anyone, but the way it appears may look different for different people. At the core domestic violence is about power and control. However, abuse will look different depending on a person's age, race, gender, sexuality, class, education, or a number of other factors. Regardless of the circumstances of your relationship or past, no one ever deserves to be abused and you’re never responsible for your partner’s abusive actions.
When we talk about domestic violence, we often talk about what domestic violence is; today, we’re talking about what domestic violence is NOT and challenging myths that many of us have heard or may have believed at one point. Today, we’re doing just that.
When we talk about domestic violence, we often talk about what domestic violence is; today, we’re talking about what domestic violence is NOT and challenging myths that many of us have heard or may have believed at one point. Today, we’re doing just that.
When most people think of domestic violence, they imagine a situation where the abusive partner causes physical injury to their intimate partner. However, physical harm is only one form of domestic violence. There are several categories of abusive behavior, each of which has its own consequences. Understanding the different types of domestic abuse can help victims understand their relationship and take steps to stay safe in the future.
Hispanic Heritage Month is observed from September 15th to October 15th. Started in 1968, it was designed to celebrate the cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. September 15th is a historically significant day that marks the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. The designated period is also a nod to those from Mexico, Chile, and Belize which celebrate their independence on Sept. 16th, Sept. 18th, and Sept. 21st respectively.
One of the most effective ways of bringing about change when it comes to stopping domestic violence is to stand up and speak out against it. If you know or suspect that someone is experiencing domestic violence, you might feel unsure about the best way to help.
If you’ve recently left an abusive relationship, you’ve already taken one of the most important steps of the process — leaving. The abuse you experienced was not your fault, and there is never a reason for abuse. Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.
Learning how to heal and take care of yourself after an abusive relationship can help you navigate what comes next.
Books are a great way to practice self-care and take time for you to relax and explore a whole new world! Reading can be a form of self-care and support for any and every one to find peace, either within themselves or through the printed lines of a recently published novel.
If you’ve recently left an abusive relationship, you’ve already taken one of the most important steps of the process — leaving. The abuse you experienced was not your fault, and there is never a reason for abuse. Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.
Learning how to heal and take care of yourself after an abusive relationship can help you navigate what comes next.
Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month is a time to recognize the contributions and influence of Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the US. In honor of Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage, Journey Center honors AAPI activists who have impacted the gender-based violence movement.
These are just a few of the influential voices who have made history as part of the anti-violence movement. Journey Center is grateful to these, and many other, AAPI activists for leading the way.
Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month is a time to recognize the contributions and influence of Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the US. In honor of Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage, Journey Center honors AAPI activists who have impacted the gender-based violence movement.
These are just a few of the influential voices who have made history as part of the anti-violence movement. Journey Center is grateful to these, and many other, AAPI activists for leading the way.
Women’s History Month is a celebration of women’s contributions to history, culture, and society held annually in March. This years theme is: “Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories”, recognizing women, past and present, who have been active in all forms of media and storytelling.
Black History Month is a time to celebrate and honor the achievements of Black Americans and their central role in U.S. history. In honor of Black History Month, Journey Center want honors Black activists who have impacted the gender-based violence movement.
These are just a few of the influential Black voices who have made history as part of the anti-violence movement. Journey Center is grateful to these, and many other, Black activists for leading the way.
2023 is here… it’s a new year filled with opportunity to take a stand against domestic violence and child abuse. 2023 is another year to create awareness and let those impacted by abuse know that they are not alone and let our community know that everyone deserves relationships build on love, respect, and safety.
Journey Center believes that everyone deserves a safe, healthy relationship- if they want a relationship. We believe that everyone regardless of gender or gender expression, race, culture, and/or sexual orientation is worthy of a safe, healthy relationship. But, what does that mean? What exactly is a healthy relationship? And how do you know if your relationship is healthy or not?
When you first meet someone and start a relationship being “swept of your feet” can feel fun and exciting; having your partner shower you with love, affection, and affirmation feels good. However, abuse and love bombing, is not fun and are signs that you may be in an unhealthy or abusive relationship.
“Gaslighting” is a term that comes from the 1938 stage play Gas Light that was made into a popular movie in 1944, starring Ingrid Bergman and Charles Boyd; in the play and the film, the husband manipulates his adoring and trusting wife into believing she can no longer trust her own perceptions of reality… he “gaslights” her.
The World Health Organization defines self-care as: “the ability of individuals, families, and communities to promote health, prevent disease, maintain health, and to cope with illness and disability with or without the support of a healthcare provider.” According to this definition, self-care includes everything related to staying physically healthy — including hygiene, nutrition, and seeking medical care when needed. It’s all the steps an individual can take to manage stressors in their life and take care of their own health and well-being.