The topic of abuse has been in the spotlight more and more over the past few years. Drawing awareness to abuse and abusive relationships is extremely important in helping survivors get help and heal from these experiences. However, we are also seeing a misuse in the language and understanding of abuse, domestic violence, and intimate partner violence. So, what are the definitions of these terms … [Read more...] about Understanding IPV: Defining Abuse, Domestic Violence, and Intimate Partner Violence
Abusive Relationships
“I liked it?”: Unpacking Sexual Coercion and Sexual Trauma Response Misconceptions
Even if you aren’t a full-time attention-seeker, being serenaded likely gives you an adrenaline rush and makes you feel wanted, connected to others. When humans bask in either genuine or false positive attention, we often feel worthy—like we’re on top of the world. When others look the other way, however, we likely feel wounded, worthless. These are innate responses rooted in human nature, and, … [Read more...] about “I liked it?”: Unpacking Sexual Coercion and Sexual Trauma Response Misconceptions
The Victim Façade (Continued): The Narcissist, Gaslighting, the Gaslightee, and DARVO
“The truth hurts,” they say. Instead of accepting reality, people tend to apply avoidance strategies—hoping that doing so will magically erase roadblocks in the long run. When you navigate the world using a fragile ego as a compass, the truth doesn’t set you free; it propels you into a state of fury or even leaves you trapped in an abyss of endless, internal agony. For some, acknowledging the … [Read more...] about The Victim Façade (Continued): The Narcissist, Gaslighting, the Gaslightee, and DARVO
The Victim Façade: Exposing the Wounded Narcissist who Confronts ‘Extreme Narcissism’
Narc: “Mirror, mirror, on the wall.” Narc: “Who’s the most victimized of them all?” Narc: “Pick me!” Narcissistic folks tend to be the type of people who throw stones at glass homes, terrifying and traumatizing occupants—only to eventually duck or run and later fabricate a massively tall tale, claiming that they were chased and hunted by a vicious mob of glass home owners. Narcissistic folks … [Read more...] about The Victim Façade: Exposing the Wounded Narcissist who Confronts ‘Extreme Narcissism’
Exploring the Connection between Sexual Abuse Rape Culture and (Mass) Grooming
Dear cancel culture, Cancel rape culture, already. Nowadays, cancel culture mainly intimidates public figures—leaving them deathly afraid of the demise of their careers, as well as willing to think twice about the words that they utter or have expressed about others in the past. Cancel culture likely knows that it’s beyond time for larger society to eradicate the toxic attitudes and traditions … [Read more...] about Exploring the Connection between Sexual Abuse Rape Culture and (Mass) Grooming
Attention-seeking Behaviors: Discovering the Narcissist’s Fixation with Admiration and Validation
Below is a brief dialogue between two individuals, a narcissist and the target. These people could represent romantic partners, friends, or even family members in a parent-child relationship, for example. PERSON 1/NARC (enters the living room, clears their throat, and coughs) You love me, right? What would you do if I weren’t here? PERSON 2/TARGET (looks up from their book and grins) Of course … [Read more...] about Attention-seeking Behaviors: Discovering the Narcissist’s Fixation with Admiration and Validation
