TOGETHER WE CAN PREVENT VIOLENCE AND ABUSE IN OUR COMMUNITIES
TOGETHER WE CAN PREVENT VIOLENCE AND ABUSE IN OUR COMMUNITIES
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October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a nationwide effort to bring awareness to domestic violence and how it affects all of us. Our October toolkit includes activities for community members of all ages to raise awareness and create safe homes and communities for everyone.
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Recent Articles
Language Matters: From Hurting to Helping
Imagine this: Alex shows a fake video of a woman getting slapped to his friend group, including a couple, Benji and Jess. Everyone laughs and makes jokes like, “she had it coming”. Alex and this group are unaware that their friend, Benji, has been abusing Jess in private. After watching the video and hearing their friends laugh, Benji feels justified in abusing Jess, [...]
What Prevents Men from Asking for Help?
Historically, there are cultural and societal barriers that prevent men (no matter their age) from receiving counseling, especially for trauma. At HCWC, we serve men, yet we have only seen 114 men in counseling services from 2024 to present. Some of the barriers to counseling include: Mental health symptoms present differently in men and may not be recognized as [...]
So… What are We Looking for Here?
Last week, we talked about self-compassion and why your relationship with yourself should come before your relationship status. This week, we're talking about something that can make dating feel surprisingly complicated: figuring out what you're actually looking for. Dating today doesn't come with a universal rulebook. Some people are looking for a long-term relationship. Some want to meet new people and keep things casual. Some are interested in hookups. [...]
Temperature Check: Self-Compassion Summer Is In
Summer is in full swing! Beach trips, river floats, pool parties, and more - as the temperature climbs societal pressures can too. How often do we see advertising or other content about getting the perfect beach body or glowing up in the summer? In this article we will be sharing affirmations and discussing self-compassion & our bodies as a reminder to be kind to yourself and your body this summer. [...]
Sun, Fun, & Situationships: Soft-Launching Yourself This Summer
If rom coms have taught us anything, it’s that summer is the perfect time for flings, dating, and everything in between. That’s why we’re starting this new series, Sun, Fun, & Situationships, to spill the tea on all things summer flings and dating-related! For the next eight weeks, we’ll dive into topics like communicating effectively, dealing with mixed signals, and dating safely online. No matter the type of relationship you’re in or are searching for, all relationships deserve to be healthy. Especially [...]
What Off Campus Gets Right About Consent, Survivorship, and Masculinity
Content Warning: This article and the series mentioned include conversations about sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse. While reading or watching, please make sure to care for yourself and show yourself compassion. Disclaimer: Off Campus is rated TV-MA, suited for audiences 18+. Amazon Prime’s newest young adult show, Off Campus, became one of the most watched series overnight. This show has [...]
Freud and The reality of Childhood Sexual Trauma
This Child Abuse Awareness and Sexual Abuse Awareness Month, I feel it is important to shed light on a dark chapter in the history of psychotherapy. As a psychotherapist who focuses on childhood trauma, I want to share the story of the man widely known as the father of psychotherapy-- Sigmund Freud. The story of how he had tragically failed the victims of childhood sexual abuse. Early in his career, Freud brought attention to how [...]
When Reputation Hides Harm
Widespread media coverage around stories where celebrities from all areas of society (athletes, actors, musicians, politicians, religious leaders, influencers, etc.) have been accused of violating others, has shaped the ways our society understands abuse and survivorship. All too often we have seen survivors who have come forward and shared their experiences met with indifference, disbelief, and outright backlash. via GIPHY [...]
Our Power, Our Planet: The Intersection of Sustainability and Sexual Violence
April 22 marks Earth Day, a reminder of how closely our future is tied to the choices we make today. Earth Day invites us to pause and reflect on how we care for the world and the people around us. Today highlights the urgent need for more sustainable ways of living, while also challenging us to think more critically about what sustainability actually includes. When we hear the word “sustainability,” most of us automatically connect it to environmental conservation. While it’s true that conservation is a huge part [...]
Youth and AI
Artificial Intelligence has quickly infiltrated our everyday lives, allowing us to outsource simple cognitive tasks such as creating grocery lists, designing workout routines, and writing emails. This has allowed us to quickly adapt to our ever-changing world by saving time and energy on seemingly tedious and mundane tasks. However, adults and youth are also turning to AI for more complex, emotional tasks such as emotional support, relationship guidance, conflict resolution, and more. AI is often taking the place of personal relationships, and in many [...]
When Power Protects Predators – Lessons from the Epstein Case
The wide revelations of Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes that have come since 2019 have reinforced that those who harm children are often individuals in positions of power and trust. Wealth, status, and influence can create environments where child sexual abuse is more easily hidden, victims feel less able to speak out, and accountability is delayed or denied. To date, Epstein himself was the only [...]
When Going Along Doesn’t Mean Wanting To
Sexual coercion within intimate relationships is not always marked by physical violence, but that doesn’t make it harmless. When one partner uses pressure, manipulation, or subtle threats to obtain sexual activity the other person is not comfortable with, the experience is not fully consensual or freely chosen. Even without physical force, sexual coercion can have serious emotional and psychological impacts, including fear, guilt, confusion, and lingering [...]
