October marks Domestic Violence Awareness Month. On this week's Mom Squad, Maureen Kyle talks to experts about recognizing signs of abusive relationships.
Read MoreOctober is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
In Ohio, nearly 40% of women and 30% of men experience some form of domestic violence, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence,
The Journey Center for Safety and Healing in Cleveland is focused on offering services that empower, educate and advocate for individuals in order to end domestic violence and child abuse.
Read MoreJourney 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?
Read MoreCLEVELAND — New legislation is being proposed in Cleveland to assist victims of domestic violence in the city's workforce.
“Among the thousands of city employees there are people going through struggles, there are people who need help,” said councilman Charles Slife.
“It’s because of injury, because of an inability to focus, because of needing to take time away from work, that's incredibly disruptive and destabilizing for the family,” said Melissa Graves with the Journey Center for Safety and Healing.
Read MoreBut right now, it’s Graves and other leaders of organizations like hers, that are terrified of not being able to help the people who need it since the reversal of Roe v. Wade.
“It’s a seismic shift in the danger levels for women, in general, but absolutely for people who are living in abusive relationships,” she said. “We hear, all too often, from those we serve that reproductive coercion, birth control sabotage, and marital rape are part of the abuse that they experience in that abusive relationship.”
Read MoreBut right now, it’s Graves and other leaders of organizations like hers, that are terrified of not being able to help the people who need it since the reversal of Roe v. Wade.
“It’s a seismic shift in the danger levels for women, in general, but absolutely for people who are living in abusive relationships,” she said. “We hear, all too often, from those we serve that reproductive coercion, birth control sabotage, and marital rape are part of the abuse that they experience in that abusive relationship.”
Read More“This will have dangerous ramifications for those experiencing domestic violence,” says Melissa Graves, CEO, about the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v Wade. “This allows states to eliminate a basic freedom and fundamental right.”
Reproductive coercion and birth control sabotage are common in relationships where there is domestic violence. This is one way abusers hold their victims in abusive relationships and it affects an estimated 1 in 10 women.
Read MoreWhen 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.
Read MoreMay is Supervised Visitation Awareness Month and today, May 14, is Supervised Visitation Awareness Day- a day and month dedicated to raise awareness about the need and impact of supervised visitation.
Journey Center wants to recognize the important work our Safe & Sound Supervised Visitation Center does to support children and families.
Read More“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.
Read MoreJourney Center for Safety and Healing supports survivors’ autonomy to make choices for themselves and their families.
Read MoreMelissa Graves with the Journey Center says not only are they seeing more domestic violence cases but more extreme abuse.
“Here in the state of Ohio in 2021, there were actually 131 deaths attributed to domestic violence homicide, that was a 20% increase over the year before,” Graves said.
Read MoreApril 24-30 is National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, a week dedicated to raise awareness about crime victims’ issues and rights and introduce the community to the important resources and services available.
Journey Center recognizes the work our advocates do to support survivors who are experiencing abusive relationships while navigating the justice system. Journey Center’s Justice System Advocacy Program is the only program providing services for victims of abuse in the inner ring suburban courts – 9 Cuyahoga County based courts, consisting of 42 municipalities - serving victims of domestic violence, stalking, and other crimes of intimate partner violence.
Journey Center wants to affirm to everyone, survivors and those who love a survivor- that we believe you. We will continue to speak up against gender-based violence and continue our work to support individuals and families who have been impacted by domestic violence. You are not alone.
Read MoreThe 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.
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Journey Center wants to affirm to everyone, survivors and those who love a survivor that we believe you. We will continue to speak up against gender-based violence and continue our work to support individuals and families who have been impacted by domestic violence - you are not alone.
Read MoreAll types of violence within an intimate relationship are unacceptable, whether that includes verbal abuse, coercive control, physical violence, or other types of abuse. But what we have learned over the years in the field of intimate partner violence, is that some abusive relationships are more at risk for serious harm, including lethal or near-lethal violence.
Read MoreCLEVELAND — Domestic violence is cancer that invades communities across the nation, but the Journey Center for Safety and Healing is helping survivors of all communities.
Alicia Carrizo is one of those survivors.
“He put a knife on my throat and he said he's going leave me dead, in front of my girls,” said Carrizo.
Read MoreBROOK PARK, Ohio — Sarah Carter will tell you herself that her kids are the key to her heart.
“My children saved me, my children are literally my world,” said Carter. “The thought of losing one of them would bring me to tears.”
Sadly, that thought has become a tragic reality for Carter just over two weeks ago.
Read MoreCLEVELAND -- In the wake of the racial justice protests that followed the police killing of George Floyd, there have been mounting calls for programs dedicated to de-escalating encounters between the police and civilians.
Across the country, we are seeing a range of possible enhancements to traditional policing and the training of police. Here in Northeast Ohio, we’re taking a new approach in addressing domestic-violence response by police. This initiative illustrates how enhancements in police training can go a long way in increasing support and safety for victims of domestic violence.
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