Emily’s* journey to healing began at the City Mission’s Women and Children’s Shelter, where she first heard about DVSSP. “I’m not exactly sure who pointed me in that direction, but someone did, and that’s how I discovered DVSSP.” That connection would change the course of her life.
Through DVSSP, Emily found education, counseling, and support that helped her make sense of her experiences. “I sat down with Allison and took some educational counseling classes.” Those classes became a turning point, allowing her to process what she had endured.
Her biggest challenge was simply accepting that it had happened to her. “Anytime I would sit down in counseling sessions and start talking about these things, I instantly would start to cry. It was like a realization moment, having compassion for myself in that moment—that I’m not just talking about someone else. This actually happened to me.”
Before seeking help, she had learned to survive by detaching from her reality. “I think when I was in these kinds of situations, I would kind of disassociate or detach just as a way to survive.” But DVSSP helped her reconnect with herself and find her worth again.
“My life has changed in a very radical way after utilizing the services at DVSSP.” Through education and counseling, she learned to define and understand the abuse she had endured. “I was able to define a lot of the things that were happening to me—what a trauma bond actually is, what that cycle looks like, gaslighting, putting up boundaries.” With this newfound knowledge, she was able to break free from the patterns that once trapped her.
Without DVSSP, Emily knows she would still be stuck in that cycle. “I think I would still be pursuing very toxic, abusive dynamics, not necessarily knowing what’s happening or justifying and rationalizing it.” But now, she has the insight, strength, and boundaries to protect herself and build a better future.
Emily is sharing her story because she knows education is key—not just for survivors, but for the professionals who serve them. “I think it’s very, very, very important for society, but especially providers, to be well-informed in this area. There’s another component when it comes to domestic abuse that isn’t really being properly addressed or handled, and I think it’s important that people have that education.”
Emily’s transformation is a testament to the power of DVSSP’s work—and to the impact of donor support. Planned giving ensures that survivors like Emily can continue to access life-changing resources, helping them break the cycle and reclaim their futures.
“My life has changed. I’ve found my self-worth. And now, I want to help others find theirs too.”
*Name changed for privacy
