Why Does Preventing Domestic Violence Begin with Preventing Childhood Domestic Violence?
Written by Shirley Sanguino and Cindy Bekesi The single best predictor of children becoming either perpetrators or victims of domestic violence later in life is whether or not they grow up in a home where there is domestic violence ~ UNICEF Domestic violence is a...
Can You Find Gratitude In Your Life After Childhood Domestic Violence?
For those that faced violence in their childhood, called childhood domestic violence (CDV), being grateful and finding reasons for gratitude in day-to-day life can be very hard. Gratitude can be hard to come by for all of us at times in our life. Coming from a...
Breaking the Silence: Childhood Domestic Violence & Suicide Prevention
Did you know that childhood domestic violence can serve as the single best predictor of domestic violence, and can lead to the risk of suicide attempts? Childhood domestic violence (CDV) is the least known Adverse childhood experience (ACE) but has an impact of...
Art therapy as a means to heal from Childhood Domestic Violence
Artwork by Jolene Dames Jolene Dames is our most recent CDV Champion. As a child, she found a creative outlet to escape her harsh realities and traumas from living in a home with domestic violence, art. Although she may not have called it art therapy, it was at...
Connecting the dots….ADHD and Childhood Domestic Violence
You have been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). But do you feel that the source of your disorder has been fully uncovered? During this back-to-school season, we have been focusing on addressing childhood adversities, as well as how it...
How Domestic Violence Impacts Children’s Learning
By Shirley Sanguino In the United States, 1 in 15 children are exposed to domestic violence (DV) each year, and 90% of these children witness the violence that occurs in their homes. In homes with domestic violence, children are negatively impacted at all stages of...
How Did COVID-19 Impact Domestic Violence and Children?
By Shirley Sanguino Indeed, we all remember March of 2020, when coronavirus, COVID-19 brought the world into a complete lockdown. It caused daily activities such as school and work to become remote. It also required everyone to create ingenious ways to stay active at...
THE TENACITY OF GROWTH Diane’s Story of Childhood Domestic Violence
Diane Sammett grew up in a home with violence. Although she was not the recipient of it, her mother was, she understands now that living and seeing the violence has changed her life. When you grow up living with domestic violence, that’s Childhood Domestic Violence...
Is Growing Up with Domestic Violence One of the ACEs?
Researchers have identified ten Adverse Childhood Experiences, known as ACEs. These are linked to childhood trauma, chronic illness, mental health problems, and other challenges that can impact a child’s entire life. Some of these ACEs include physical abuse, sexual...
Shedding the Lies of Toxic Shame
Why do children that grow up with Childhood Domestic Violence (CDV) develop the feeling of toxic shame? Children who grow up with domestic violence (DV) often feel guilt and worse, shame. They grow up to have and accept guilt that they do not deserve. These children...