October 26th, 2011 Reading the story of another survivor’s “long road from surviving to thriving” can help survivors at the begging of such a road find strength and faith. Reading the same story can help those who have never been victims understand that the hardest part is often not leaving but all that comes after one has left. [...]
August 10th, 2011 Gaslight (1940) – Directed by George Cukor and Thorold Dickinson, starring Charles Boyer and Ingrid Bergman. Most domestic violence movies seem to focus on physical violence, this may be because when most people think of domestic violence physical violence is what comes to mind. Or it may be because physical violence is so striking on [...]
August 3rd, 2011 Domestic Violence for Beginners
by Alisa Deltufo (1995) Writers & Readers Publishing
This is a quirky little book written in comic book style. Being so use to academic books, I did not take this one seriously at first. However, it is a very good introduction to domestic violence. What I like best about this book is [...]
June 8th, 2011 The majority of my patients are trauma survivors. Some of my patients are the significant others of those who have been abused. Therapy can be a wonderful place to work through feelings about the abuse of a loved one. I often use the self-help book that I often use “Trust after Trauma,” by Aphrodite Matsakis, [...]
May 25th, 2011 The first training I ever received on the topic of domestic Violence began with the following story.
Riana lovingly prepares breakfast of one scrabbled and one sunny side up egg, buttered toast and oatmeal for her husband. She decorates the tray beautifully with a cloth napkin and cut flowers from the garden. Riana serves her husband [...]
May 19th, 2011 Covert or overt threats to harm beloved pets have proven to be effective methods to control victims. Actual violence against animals is even more effective and easier to get away with despite the fact that 45 states in the union have laws making animal cruelty a felony. Victims may choose to stay in abusive relationship [...]
April 29th, 2011 I met Jacqueline Rowe at my last speaking engagement in Brooklyn for BetTiFi. Ms. Rowe is helping herself and others heal by breaking the silence. Her organization, Face MY Abuse, produces videos of survivors telling their stories of abuse. For survivors telling the story is a powerful first step in the healing process because a [...]