This article was published in partnership with My Natural Me.

This month we are bringing awareness to Domestic Violence, (also referred to as intimate partner violence (IPV), dating abuse, or relationship abuse). While many identify abuse as physical violence, domestic violence is more than this. The National Domestic Violence Hotline defines abuse as a pattern of behaviors used by one partner to maintain power and control over another partner in an intimate relationship.

According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, “Domestic violence doesn’t discriminate. People of any race, age, gender, sexuality, religion, education level, or economic status can be a victim — or perpetrator — of domestic violence. That includes behaviors that physically harm, intimidate, manipulate or control a partner, or otherwise force them to behave in ways they don’t want to, including through physical violence, threats, emotional abuse, or financial control.

Domestic violence stems from a desire to gain and maintain power and control over an intimate partner. Abusive people believe they may control and restrict their partner’s lives, often because they believe their own feelings and needs should be the priority in the relationship, or because they enjoy exerting the power that such abuse gives them.”

It’s important to note that while many people ask, “why does a person stay in an abusive relationship?” There are countless reasons people stay, and leaving can be an especially dangerous time for them.

Those who survive relationship abuse may need a lot of resources, support, and love to recover from their trauma.

Knowing how to have conversations that empower survivors to make their own decisions is one of the most important ways you can help someone in an abusive relationship reach a safer place.

Join the organization My Natural Me as they bring survivors and experts together to have a virtual conversation around abuse.

Surviving Abuse-The Healing Circle

Tuesday, October 19th

7:00pm to 8:00pm

Click the picture to register.