Stephanie, a certified yoga instructor on our staff, invites you to take some time for yourself. Find your center, even if it’s outside of your comfort zone, during this week’s guided yoga. #YogaFridays
Remember the abuse they are suffering is rooted in isolation, power, and control. Your role is to help them make their own decisions, not rescue them.
Believe the stories they tell you. Listen more than you talk. Avoid saying what you would do. Instead, say you are really worried about their safety and ask if they have a safety plan. And respect your friend or family member’s decision, even if they decide to stay. Sometimes, it’s because leaving will be too dangerous right now.
Become familiar with things to consider when making a safety plan. Suggest that they call our 24-hour hotline to speak with an advocate. You can call us, too. We are here to answer questions and help you support your friend and family.
Some survivors began drinking more to numb the physical and emotional pain of abuse, while others were forced to drink and drug by their abuser.
You may feel ashamed about the abuse and for using substances. Remember you have survived the trauma of abuse the only way you could. Now, though, the substances are putting your safety at risk and making it harder for your body and mind to heal.
With a plan and supportive network, you can live a safe sober life. Let us support you along the way with referrals to treatments, specialized support groups for survivors in recovery, and extra help to re-imagine your sober, violence-free life.
If you need more support, call us to talk about options and about days and times of support groups in your area. Our advocates are available 24 hours a day, every day of the year to answer questions, make safety plans, advocate for legal rights, and offer support during your healing journey.
If you’ve ever visited our farm, you know it’s a magical place. This recording captures a bit of that magic an early autumn day fades, and the evening showers make their way to the farm. Wherever you are, you can come back to your breath. Join us on the farm by closing your eyes and listening to one of the many beautiful songs of nature.
Tune in weekly during the month of October for a new recording on the Heart Space, a digital sound archive of trauma-sensitive resources dedicated to serving those who are healing from abuse. Listen on Spotify, Pocket Casts, Google Podcast, and more.
Holden, a certified yoga instructor on our staff, invites you to a engage your body in low-impact movement during this 30-minute yoga experience.
Give yourself permission to make healing a priority, and remember the healing journey is different for everyone.
Do you have a strong support network of family and friends? Often, friendships need to be mended or ended to help you heal. Many survivors are eager to begin a safe romantic relationship, while others swear to never be intimate with another again. As time passes, you will feel readier to make these decisions. In the meantime, remember to care for your physical health. Healing our spirit is easier when our bodies are healthy and strong.
If you need more support, call us to talk about options and ask for the days and times of support groups in your area. Our advocates are available 24 hours a day, every day of the year to answer questions, make safety plans, advocate for legal rights, and offer support during your healing journey.
The Heart Space is a digital sound archive of trauma-sensitive resources dedicated to serving those who are healing from abuse. Rooted in mind-body connection, the intention of this archive is to serve as a tool for survivors to reembody their mental, emotional, and physical body. Our approach is grounded in deepening our understanding of both our self and our connection to the natural world. We are honored to continue holding space for the incredibly courageous survivors we serve who continue to show up for themselves to heal and flourish in a life free of violence.
Today’s six-minute guided meditation will encourage you to consider the fears in your life and imagine the courage within you.
Tune in weekly during the month of October for a new trauma-sensitive sound recording. Listen on Spotify, Pocket Casts, Google Podcast, and more.
Contributors
Stephanie Love has been with GreenHouse17 since 2006, where she worked as a Residential Advocate for almost 8 years before going into Outreach. During her time with the agency she has introduced yoga and relaxation groups to further support survivors to heal from abuse. Stephanie has a Master’s of Science in Counseling Psychology and is a Certified Yoga Teacher (CYT). She continues to study trauma and its effect on the whole person, the healing powers of mindfulness and yoga, and is proud to be an eternal student of life.
Holden Dillman has been with GreenHouse17 since 2018, where they served as an AmeriCorps VISTA and practicum student serving on our therapeutic flower farm. Holden has a Master’s of Science in Social Work and is a Certified Yoga Instructor (CYT). He serves as the Content Creator for GreenHouse17 where they create and curate content to support the healing of survivors. Holden is also a practicing therapist based out of Louisville. Holden finds deep joy in serving as a trauma-sensitive yoga and meditation instructor, and social worker. Their experience is grounded in nature-based healing as means to integrate trauma. Holden is committed to holding space for collective liberation of the mind, body, and soul in inclusive community.
During #DomesticViolenceAwarenessMonth we must become advocates for those who need us most. Visit @KCADVtweets or call 502–209–5382 for important resources. pic.twitter.com/BFekGpYXR6
— Governor Andy Beshear (@GovAndyBeshear) October 2, 2020
General Services Brochure
Folletos de servicios generale
Brochures des services généraux
Planning for your safety
What about the children?
Safe exchange and visitation
Supporting family and friends
Safety and healing in a small town
You have the right (LGTQIAA)
Your professional responsibility
Healing body and spirit
Financial abuse
Healing and sobriety
Faith and healing
Join Stephanie, an advocate and certified yoga instructor on our staff, for this 30-minute relaxation journey. She invites you to find a comfortable space, take a deep breath, and exhale fear as you reconnect with your body.
One thing we know is that home is not always safe for everyone, especially survivors of intimate partner violence. This has especially been the case during COVID-19. When a survivor is forced to stay in close proximity to their abuser it is often easier for them to exert control over the survivor.
Recently, there have been reports of increased domestic violence during the lockdowns necessitated by COVID-19 across countries in North America, South America, Europe, Africa and Asia; the UN Population Fund additionally projects at least 15 million more cases of domestic violence as a result of COVID-19. (NNEDV)
Now more than ever before it is important that survivors know that their community supports them and sees them in these unprecedented times. As an effort to ensure survivors are seen and heard during this global pandemic #ISeeYou, a public service campaign has launched a video to get the word out that help is available as incidents of domestic violence continue to rise.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline reported that from March 16 to May 16, there was a 9% increase in total contacts received by the National Domestic Violence Hotline, with over 6,200 total contacts citing COVID-19 as an issue.
Data shows that women of color and Indigenous women are disproportionately affected by domestic violence. Sheltering in place is not a viable option for frontline and essential workers, many of whom are women, particularly women of color, already facing the disproportionate impacts of historical trauma, discrimination, and violence, while now facing increased exposure to the virus. Simultaneously, the historic loss of economic opportunity in this country has been especially acute for women, Black and brown communities, and workers of color, who already hold the majority of low-paid work, suffer from pay inequality, and do not have access to paid sick leave and other health benefits. (NNEDV)
It is our responsibility to cultivate a supportive community and to advocate for the safety of those who are not able to. If you or someone you know is or may be experiencing intimate partner violence, please do not hesitate to reach out. We are here to support survivors and those who are the friends and family members of those experiencing abuse.
