Beyond Survival

One of the most common things we hear from survivors isn't that they deserved the abuse. It's that they don't think it was "bad enough." They compare their experience to someone else's. They wonder if they should have stayed longer. They question whether they have the right to call it abuse because it only happened once, or because someone else endured years of violence before leaving. But abuse isn't measured against someone else's story. Every person deserves to feel safe i

"I would know if someone I loved was being abused." It's one of the most common things people say after learning someone they know is experiencing domestic violence. And it's one of the most dangerous myths we believe. We imagine abuse as something obvious. We picture bruises, screaming matches, broken furniture, police lights, or dramatic moments that would immediately signal something is wrong. The reality is that abuse is usually much quieter than that. In fact, if someone

When people think about domestic violence, many picture the same story: a woman with visible bruises trying to leave a physically abusive husband. While that certainly happens, it's only part of the picture. Domestic violence affects people of every age, race, religion, income level, gender identity, sexual orientation, profession, and education level. It impacts people living in cities and rural communities. It affects teenagers, retirees, stay-at-home parents, healthcare pr

Summer often brings a welcome change of pace. School is out, families spend more time together, community events fill the calendar, and people are enjoying longer days and warmer weather. But while summer can be a season of connection and fun, it can also bring unique challenges for individuals and families experiencing domestic violence. When routines change, stress can increase. Children are home from school, schedules shift, financial pressures may grow, and people may spe

When people think about domestic violence or sexual violence services, they often picture crisis response—hotlines, shelters, counseling, or court advocacy. Those services are essential, but prevention and healing often begin much earlier. For many survivors, the first person they tell is not an advocate. It may be a coworker, teacher, healthcare provider, pastor, friend, or someone else they trust. Sometimes disclosures are direct, and sometimes they come in the form of ques

When someone chooses to share an experience of abuse, violence, or harm, they are often taking an enormous risk. Many survivors spend days, months, or even years weighing whether it is safe to tell someone. They may fear being blamed, doubted, dismissed, or misunderstood. That’s why our response matters so deeply. At the Violence Prevention Center, we believe survivors. Not because every survivor tells their story perfectly or remembers every detail in order, but because trau

Every year, Give STL Day brings our region together for one powerful purpose: supporting the nonprofits that make St. Louis a safer, stronger, and more connected place to live. This year, Give STL Day takes place on May 7—and early giving is already open. Hosted by the St. Louis Community Foundation, Give STL Day is a 24-hour day of generosity that has raised millions of dollars for local organizations over the past decade. At the Violence Prevention Center, your support dire

The Violence Prevention Center announces Courtney Kampwerth as the new Executive Director.

A note of gratitude as Darlene Jones begins a new chapter. After 14 years of dedicated service and leadership, Jones retires.

Every February, store shelves fill with heart-shaped boxes, roses, and reminders to celebrate love. Valentine’s Day paints a picture of romance that is exciting, all-consuming, and deeply emotional. For many teens, these messages help shape their earliest understanding of what love is supposed to look like. At the same time, February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, a reminder that not all relationships are healthy, and not all expressions of “love” are safe. This con

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (TDVAM), a time dedicated to shining a light on an issue that too often hides in plain sight. When people hear “dating violence,” they often imagine adults in long-term relationships. But the reality is that unhealthy and abusive dynamics frequently begin much earlier. For many survivors, the first experience of control, manipulation, or harm happens during adolescence. According to national data, nearly 1 in 3 teens in the Un

January has a way of making everything feel urgent. New year. New goals. New habits. A fresh start. But for many people — especially survivors of domestic violence — the idea of “starting over” can feel overwhelming, unrealistic, or even unsafe. Healing doesn’t follow a calendar. And survival doesn’t reset just because the year changes. At the Violence Prevention Center, we want to say this clearly: You don’t have to start over to deserve support. Healing Isn’t Linear — and T

For survivors of domestic violence, the first night after escaping is often the hardest. Even when the door finally closes and locks behind them, the body doesn’t immediately understand it’s safe. Survivors tell us about the shaking. The long, sleepless hours. The way they keep their shoes close by—just in case. They talk about fear not as an emotion, but as a sound: a constant hum in the background of their lives. One woman told our staff, “I didn’t realize how loud fear was

It’s a question that too many survivors of domestic violence hear — from friends, family, and sometimes even from themselves: “Why don’t they just leave?” But for those experiencing abuse, leaving is not that simple. In fact, it can be the most dangerous time in an abusive relationship. The Violence Prevention Center of Southwestern Illinois works with survivors every day who face a complex web of barriers that make “just leaving” nearly impossible without safety planning and

Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) reminds us that behind every statistic is a story—and behind every story is a community that can help rewrite the ending. This year’s theme, Every1KnowsSome1 , is a powerful reminder that domestic violence doesn’t only happen to “other people.” It happens in every neighborhood, across every background, age, and income level. Chances are, someone you know has been affected. What It Really Means When we say “Every1KnowsSome1,” we’re nam

Cycles of abuse often begin in the everyday moments where anger, frustration, or stress take over. When children grow up in homes where...

Earlier this month, we shared ways to prioritize your digital safety —practical steps like updating passwords, checking devices, and...

When we think about abuse in relationships, we often picture adults. But unhealthy and abusive patterns can begin much earlier. In fact,...

Digital safety is key to survivor safety. Here are a few key steps to staying safe in our digital world

When people hear the word shelter , they might think of a building or a bed to sleep in for the night. But for survivors of domestic...