Abuse is never your fault.
You are not alone. WomenSafe is available 24 hours a day.
Call us at 802-388-4205. Interpreter services available 24/7.
Abuse is behavior designed to gain and maintain control over another person through the use of fear, humiliation and verbal or physical abuse. It is important to note that these actions are strategies, not sudden flashes of uncontrollable anger.
Abuse, whether verbal, physical, emotional or sexual, can happen to anyone.
Abuse can cause survivors to feel isolated, embarrassed, ashamed, and at fault. It is important to remember that it is never, ever the survivor’s fault. No one’s actions should result in being abused or assaulted.
The abuser is the only one at fault.
Self Care
It is important to take care of yourself, and give yourself time when you have been through a traumatic event. Self care looks different for everyone. Please click on the link below for ideas and tips on self care.
Trauma and the Brain
Abuse in any form can cause trauma to the survivor. Trauma physically and chemically alters the brain, and cause the survivor to encode memories in different ways. It is normal for a survivor to only remember bits and pieces of the traumatic event. It is also normal for all survivors to react to trauma different ways- there is no wrong or right way to react. To learn more about trauma and the brain, click the button below.