I mentioned in my most recent post that I joined the Board of Directors for Thrive ICT, and this month we are planning the first fundraiser ever, dubbed The Masks We Wear in honor of the masks that survivors all too often wear.
They wear these masks when they hide behind excuses for the abuse, common with PTSD and all of its symptoms, including psychological abuse and the subsequent feelings of worthlessness. They struggle to find their voices when emotional abuse makes it difficult for them to think clearly and/or positively enough to find a way out. They hide behind hidden browser apps so they can search out help; statistically speaking it takes a survivor seven times to leave before staying away for good. They hide behind pics posted on Facebook of a fairy-tale wedding, of adorable kids, and of a fairy-tale relationship. They hide behind the facade that their lives are perfect, because that is what as a society we tell them is expected; nothing less. They hide tears behind closed doors, black eyes behind makeup, and a cry for help behind smiles of fear of judgment, accusations, and the all too common question of "why did you stay in an abusive relationship?" They hide behind all the myths of relationship violence, including but not limited to the myth that we as a society can detect who abusers are because of their everyday behavior or that a person who is abusive cannot portray a loving, caring partner in public. They hide behind the mask of knowing that the most dangerous time for them, and their children, is when they get up the courage to leave. And they hide behind the mask of thinking that if they reached out to us, we would be unwilling or incapable to help them. It is time to bust these myths and break through the masks, so that we can live in a world of more survivors and less victims! Will you help us support survivors of all types of trauma, by attending The Masks We Wear or making a financial donation to help those most in need? For more information on services offered by Thrive ICT, please see the following resources: Thrive ICT website Find us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter To seek help if you or someone you know is a victim/survivor of domestic violence, you may call the National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-SAFE (1-800-799-7233) or see the United States Department of Justice link for any state or territory in the United States for both domestic and sexual violence.
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AuthorValerie Ellis, who is in alignment with the Black Lives Matter Movement and everyone whose life is impacted, now or before, by times of social injustice. Archives
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