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5 Victim-Shaming Myths That Harm Abuse and Trauma Survivors and Encourage Spiritual Bypassing

Many people use the terms narcissist, psychopath, and sociopath to describe their abusers, but do we really know what they mean? Learn how to recognize hallmarks of each as well as distinguishing behaviors. ... See more

As an author and researcher who has communicated with thousands of trauma and abuse survivors, I’ve become all too familiar with the victim-shaming myths which cause retraumatization in those who have suffered the unimaginable. These myths are often... ... See more

For Abuse Survivors, Custody Remains a Means by Which Their Abusers Can Retain Control

Oftentimes, in cases involving children, some courts overlook signs of abuse and rely on unscientific factors to make decisions that impact the child's life.

Despite growing evidence that abusers often use custody battles to retain control over their former spouses, Congress is still punting on basic protections for survivors.

Photos from South Asian Helpline and Referral Agency's post

The SAHARA Team joined 250 other volunteers this morning to build a park for the kids of Cypress! The project was in partnership with the Tarsadia Foundation, Boys & Girls Club of Cypress, and KaBOOM!

Dating a Manipulator - Break the Silence Against Domestic Violence

Manipulation becomes toxic and insidious when it is used as a malicious form of control. In fact, it is a powerful tool in the world of domestic violence and is at the core of an abuser’s game.

By Jenn Rockefeller Manipulation in all its forms is used in everyday life. From lawyers persuading a jury to see their point of view, to kids on a debate team trying to manipulate the audience into siding with them, and to children manipulating their parents into buying them a certain toy. Manipula... ... See more

Bay Area police officer’s death: Experts say batterers escalate violence when victims try to leave

A cop was shot during a domestic violence dispute in Sacramento. Sharing this article which highlights how dangerous it is for women when they are leaving - for all who ask “why didn’t she just leave”- do read. There are some personal narratives in this that will hit home.

“Among experts who work with the victims of domestic abuse, the moment when a woman attempts to get away from her batterer is considered the most perilous, a time when violence often intensifies, sometimes to fatal proportions.”

“The Violence Policy Center, a Washington-based advocacy group that works to stop gun deaths and injuries, reported a total of 184 women killed by men in California in 2016. The report said 90 percent of those incidents were intimate-partner homicides.” ... See more

The most dangerous moment is when trying to leave an abusive relationship, domestic violence experts say.

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The Particular Cruelty of Domestic Violence

"Domestic violence is like no other crime. It does not happen in a vacuum. It does not happen because someone is in the wrong place at the wrong time. Homes and families are supposed to be sacred territory, the “haven in a heartless world,” as my college sociology teacher drilled into me. This is part of what makes the violence so untenable. It’s violence from someone you know, from someone who claims to love you. It is most often hidden from even one’s closest confidantes, and on many occasions the physical violence is far less damaging than the emotional and verbal violence." ... See more

America’s broken legal system, combined with cultural beliefs about family, pressures women to stay in violent, dangerous marriages.

MENTAL HEALTH FOCUS GROUP WITH SOUTH ASIAN YOUTH

SAHARA's Executive Director, Marilyn Neece facilitated Showbiz India's Mental Health Focus Group with South Asian Youth! The group discussed the factors that affect the mental health of youth in our community: Immigration, Family Pressure, Stigma, Abandonment, Depression, Trauma, and more. This project was in collaboration with Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health. Thank you to all of the participants for sharing their inspiring stories. ... See more

Showbiz India TV collaborated with the LA County Dpt of Mental Health for a focus group with the South Asian Youth on the subject of Mental Health. The group...

Recovering From Isolation - Break the Silence Against Domestic Violence

Leaving an abusive relationship is empowering, takes strength, and means you are a survivor. You made it out, you are free, and now you can go back to who you were before the abuse. Unfortunately what most survivors find out, and those who knew you before the abuse don’t understand, is that domestic violence changes you. The bruises may go away, but the emotional impact of abuse can cause scars that no one can see. According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, you may be more cautious and less trusting of others, which can impact your current and future personal relationships. Because of the prevalence of complex PTSD in domestic violence victims and survivors, you may be triggered easily, suffer from insomnia, and think of your abuser frequently. You may become frustrated at the person that you thought would be left behind when you escaped your abuser, and wonder why you feel so alone? ... See more

By Rebecca Lynn According to Speak Out Loud, isolation is a tactic abusers use to weaken and control their victims. When the victim is isolated from outside influences, their belief and acceptance in the abuser grows stronger. Isolation occurs over time, through a variety of hidden tactics that star... ... See more

South Asian Americans Leading Together

We are devastated to learn of the death of Gurupreet Kaur, a 6 year old Indian girl who’s body was found in the Arizona desert.

She died after crossing the U.S - Mexico border.

The range of communities impacted by repression at home, perilous journeys to the U.S., and inhumane conditions in detention continues to grow.

Heartbreaking beyond words.

Yet we cannot be silent.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-immigration-death-idUSKCN1TG00B ... See more