The First Step to Freedom: Taking Back Control Every year, nearly 1 in 4 women in the United States experience severe physical violence at the hands of an intimate partner. For many, the first step toward safety is obtaining a civil protection order. But the process can feel daunting, especially when you’re already dealing with …
Restraint 101: How to Keep Your Abuser Away in Colorado Read More »
Did you know that over 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men in the U.S. have experienced severe physical violence by an intimate partner? If you’re reading this, you’re likely one of the many who have faced the fear, confusion, and isolation that come with domestic violence. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by …
What Evidence is Needed for a Protection Order: Take Back Control of Your Safety Read More »
I. The Invisible Chains of Abuse: Why It’s So Hard to Break Free Imagine living in a world where every move you make is under constant scrutiny. Your phone is checked daily, your texts read, your whereabouts questioned at every turn. This is the reality for many victims of domestic violence, and it’s more common …
The Psychological Trap of Abuse: Why It’s Hard to Leave Without Help Read More »
Introduction: The First Red Flag You Might Be Ignoring Right Now Imagine this: A woman, let’s call her Sarah, noticed her partner’s growing interest in her personal life. At first, it seemed caring—he’d ask where she was, who she was with, and how her day went. But soon, it became more invasive. He started checking …
Before It’s Too Late: Recognizing the First Signs of Abuse Read More »
On May 13, 2024, Crain’s Chicago Business published an article entitled, “The child welfare system is hurting the kids it was designed to protect. Why?” The answer to the question is a complicated one, but the issues facing Illinois’ foster care system are stubborn and longstanding. My grandmother was placed in foster care in Illinois …
On April 19, 2024, the Biden administration issued new rules that broaden the scope of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1971. Title IX guarantees gender equality in education programs or activities that receive federal funding. The Department of Education stated the rules were modified to address “unacceptably high” rates of sexual harassment and …
In the White House’s 2024 proclamation on National Child Abuse Prevention Month, it wrote, “[t]here is no greater sin than the abuse of power, especially when that abuse is directed at a child.” When state and county child welfare agencies remove children from their homes, we expect that they are placed in safer environments. But …
5 Tips if a Child is Abused at a Residential Facility Read More »
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (“SAAM”), a time when we raise public awareness about sexual assault and discuss ways to prevent sexual violence. Sexual violence is a significant problem. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that “over half of women and almost one in three men have experienced sexual violence involving physical …
A New York gynecologist working at Columbia University sexually assaulted female patients for years. In 1994, one victim wrote a complaint to Columbia detailing her abuse, but the university never acted. Another victim has stated, “I did try to speak up when it happened in the hospital, and I was just told that I was …
