If you were Nicole Brown Simpson's friend, what would you have done? Save the date! Our annual Open Hearts, Open Doors event is October 30, 2024! See Photos from Last Year How to Help a Friend Who Is Experiencing Abuse More than 1 in 3 women, nearly 1 in 3 men, and 1 in 2 trans or nonbinary people will be in an abusive relationship in their lifetimes. Everyone knows survivors, whether or not they're aware of the abuse their loved one endured. Learn how to support the survivors in your life. As a friend, family member, or co-worker of someone in an unhealthy or abusive relationship, you may be the first person to recognize your loved one is not safe. There are many things you can do to maintain your relationship with them and assist them in building a safety net for themselves, their children, and their pets. Here are a few tips: Let them know that you are concerned for their safety. Help your friend, family member or co-worker recognize the abuse. Tell them you see what is going on and that you want to help. Be supportive and acknowledge that the situation is very difficult and scary. Help them recognize that what is happening is not their fault, reassure them that they are not alone, and let them know that there is help and support available. Listen to your friend. Remember it may be difficult for them to talk about the abuse. What they need most is someone who will believe and listen to them. Be nonjudgmental. Respect their decisions. They may leave and return to the relationship many times. Do not criticize their decisions or try to make them feel guilty. They will need your support even more during those times. If the relationship ends, continue to be supportive. Even though the relationship was abusive, they may still feel sad and lonely once it is over. They will need time to mourn the loss of the relationship and will need your support. Visit our website for more tips on supporting someone who is experiencing abuse in their relationship. See More Tips In the News Cassie Ventura: 'I Will Always Be Recovering from My Past' "After years in silence and darkness, I am finally ready to tell my story, and to speak up on behalf of myself and for the benefit of other women who face violence and abuse in their relationships," she said in a statement. "With the expiration of New York's Adult Survivors Act fast approaching, it became clear that this was an opportunity to speak up about the trauma I have experienced and that I will be recovering from for the rest of my life." Read More Nicole Brown Simpson's Sisters Say It's Time 'to Hear Her Voice' "We decided 30 years was probably the best and the last time to hear her voice and tell her story." "We want people to see this beautiful human being." Read More What Nicole's Family Knew About O.J.'s Abuse "That's why I think education is so important when it comes to domestic violence, the power and control of one human being over another," said Nicole's sister Denise. "You need to let people know when something like this is happening. And there's so much shame involved in domestic violence, but what people have to understand is they have to be supportive." Read More How would you help someone in an abusive relationship? "Have you ever wanted to help a friend in an abusive relationship but didn't know how? Have you ever tried to help someone and they didn't end their relationship? Were you disappointed? Did you wonder why you even bothered? Helping a person in an abusive relationship is frustrating sometimes. Be patient. Maybe they will come around, and maybe they won't. But by trying to help, you showed your friend that you support them and can be trusted. Remember it is difficult and scary to leave an unhealthy relationship. Take this quiz to find out how ready and willing you are to help." Take Quiz Hotlines are for you, too People may think that hotlines like Doorways' 24-Hour Domestic and Sexual Violence Hotline (703-237-0881) are only for survivors who have experienced abuse directly. But we're here for you, too. If you're concerned about a loved one and their relationship, please feel free to contact us and/or other hotlines for support. Feds Tell Agencies to Support Domestic Violence Victims Seeking Time Off Katie Ray-Jones, CEO of the National Domestic Violence Hotline praised the new policy. "I think it sets a really good role model for the rest of our country," she said. Read More Australia's 'National Crisis' of Domestic Abuse "Newly released data from the government found that in the 2022-2023 fiscal year, 34 women were killed by a current or previous intimate partner, up 28 percent from the previous fiscal year. In other words, the trend lines for Australia’s domestic violence problem are heading in the wrong direction. While the rates are lower than in the United States, for Australians, the risk of violence and death at the hands of a partner is now increasing." Read More   Share This Email Share This Email Share This Email Help create pathways out of homelessness, domestic violence, and sexual assault. Give the gift of safe harbor, healing, and hope today. Donate Now Doorways | P.O. Box 100185 | Arlington, VA 22210 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice