The Phrase Abuse Victims Desperately Need to Hear
This content is what I learned from taking a class on abuse a couple of weeks ago. I am sharing it here to help spread awareness and knowledge about abuse and the proper response to it. Abuse is an epidemic in our society and the damage done can last a victim's entire life. One of the counter-intuitive aspects of abuse is that it makes the abuse victim feel like he/she is to blame. Abusers are masters at manipulation and blame-shifting. By treating their victim as if he/she was dirty, repulsive, disgraceful, and worthless, the victim often believes he/she really is dirty, repulsive, disgraceful, and worthless. Abuse victims also feel the effects of the huge burden of blame their abusers lay upon them. Therefore, the most important thing to say to an abuse victim is, your abuse is not your fault. To the abuse victim, your abuse is not your fault. Here's why: Abusers know what they are doing and choose to do it. Abusers are often expert manipulators and know how to make thei