Love Shouldn’t Hurt

Love Shouldn't Hurt - Ever

Monday, 16 September 2024 09:23

Journey of Healing
by Teresia Smith

Embarking on a journey of healing after sexual assault can be daunting, but it is also a courageous act that displays fortitude and bravery. Unpredictable emotions linger after an assault and can make a survivor feel like their life is out of their control. Upsetting thoughts and flashback memories may make it hard to maintain focus or to have any inner peace. By choosing to work on your healing, you are choosing to reclaim your life and not let the abuser win.

Love shouldn’t hurt

Love Shouldn't Hurt - Ever

Friday, 06 September 2024 09:13

Subtle Abuse Behaviors
by Teresia Smith

Do you think you can always tell if someone is being abused? It’s easier to see abuse if someone is yelling at their partner and threatening to harm them, or possibly throwing things across a room, pushing them into a wall while calling them belittling names. Those are all clear signs that abuse is happening. But what about the more subtle abusive behaviors? Often a victim struggles to identify the abuse, doubting their perceptions.

Love shouldn’t hurt

Love Shouldn't Hurt - Ever

Thursday, 29 August 2024 08:16

Minimizing Abuse
by Teresia Smith

“There is no justification for abuse by a partner, but it’s also hard to admit you’re a victim” (Amanda Kippert). Many intimate partner abuse survivors have a hard time accepting that their partner’s behaviors are abusive. There is a part of them that wants to excuse behaviors and even blame themselves. Until you are out of the relationship and can look back with clarity, you may not truly understand the abuse you experienced.

Love shouldn’t hurt

Love Shouldn't Hurt - Ever

Monday, 26 August 2024 08:49

Let Go and Move Forward
by Teresia Smith

Recently I read a blog by Angel Chernoff where she shared this thought:

Love shouldn’t hurt

Love Shouldn't Hurt - Ever

Monday, 19 August 2024 08:28

Supporting a Sexual Abuse Survivor
by Teresia Smith

The shame a sexual assault victim experiences is increased when they are not allowed to talk about the trauma. Rebecca Street, a survivor of sexual abuse, says that this is one reason survivors tend to sometimes blurt out their story to complete strangers. Just the act of speaking of what happened to them is an effort to heal. In society, it is often considered inappropriate to discuss any trauma.