We’re Glad You’re Here

Author Kristine Fredheim writes a personal account of the pain brought on by her parents' violence towards each other. After experiencing them abuse each other physically and verbally for years,Kristine inherited some of their behaviors. According to leading expert Dr. Jeff Edelson, "Children who experience domestic violence are 2-3 times more likely to repeat the cycle of violence in...

"Like many adult children of domestic violence, I'm doing the necessary work of change, and I'm moving forward."   Similarly to an estimated 15 million children and 40+ million adults who were these children, Jan Downing grew up around a lot of violence at home. In her recent blog post, she describes what it felt like to be a child with adult burdens. She believed the fear that was ingrained,...

I think watching my mom, her growth post-shooting, our family and the way we became stronger really became the example that I chose to live by. Comedian Trevor Noah opens up about his experience with CDV and the LIE he lived…but was later able to replaced with a new paradigm for life. After his mother was brutally shot by his stepfather, Trevor felt intense ANGER. But after surviving this...

For many, this Father's Day weekend was a festive time to pay tribute to a figurehead, protector, and pillar of family that brings up fond memories of special times. But what if you grew up in a home where you dad was routinely violent towards your mother regularly – where you lived in fear for her wellbeing, and maybe yours and that of your siblings as well? If you find it difficult to...

Our children are these afterthoughts within these conversations...There voices are silent. Shannon Isom, CEO of the YWCA Dayton, talks about her husband's experience with CDV and the impact CDV has on the children at her shelter. Watch her TED Talk below and learn more about these "silent voices". 

"What this research highlights is that growing up in a home with domestic abuse, in particular the psychological dimension of it, has long-term consequences for the well being of young people" A study from the University of Limerick (UL), Ireland, found that the psychological component of DV has the most damaging impact on the children who live in these homes. Psychological violence is...

It took Claudia Martine decades to realize how profound and lasting the impact of Childhood Domestic Violence (CDV) is. As an adult, she is finally opening up about the trauma she faced in childhood, in order to begin to heal.    She is one of the lucky ones. Most who are impacted by CDV don't even realize they experienced "something" and that it had a severe, damaging, and lasting impact on...

If you grew up living with domestic violence, Mother’s Day may bring conflicting emotions, as it may remind you of what your mother went through in your childhood home. But perhaps it has never occurred to you – as it typically doesn’t – that maybe your mom grew up living with domestic violence also. It often gets passed down from one generation to the next. But those who grow up living with it...

In its recent blog post, the Pamela Anderson Foundation encourages parents to speak to their children about Childhood Domestic Violence (CDV). They revealed fourteen helpful tips for facilitating this critical conversation. Bringing CDV to light can help minimize its impact and remind children that they are not alone. Here are just a few of the tips it offers: Ask about how they’re feeling, and...

A volunteer at a domestic violence organization writes an open letter to mothers regarding the positive attributes of their children, who grew up with CDV.  By highlighting these positive features she is becoming THE ONE for these children…and their mothers. She reminds mothers that their Children are resilient, by writing: “Each one is remarkably capable…” “They take care of one another…” “The...