RADV: A Bad Day Doesn’t Mean a Bad Life
We all have them. The days where nothing seems to go right. The days when old memories come rushing back. The days when the weight of life feels heavier than it did yesterday. Having a bad day doesn’t mean you’re failing. It means you’re human. For survivors of abuse, a difficult day can feel especially […]
Finding Your Joy Again
There comes a moment in healing when you realize you’re no longer just trying to survive—you want to live again. For many survivors of domestic violence, abuse, or trauma, joy can feel like something that belongs to someone else. You may remember what happiness used to feel like, but after years of walking on eggshells, […]
RADV: Control Is Not Love
Sometimes abuse doesn’t begin with a slap, a shove, or a threat. Sometimes it begins with one small decision that wasn’t yours to make. “What are you wearing?” “Who are you texting?” “I don’t like your friends.” “You don’t need your own bank account.” “Just let me handle everything.” At first, it can feel like […]
RADV: When Pride Says Stay Silent
There is a voice that many men hear after abuse. It whispers: “Don’t tell anyone.” “No one will believe you.” “Real men can handle it.” “You’ll look weak.” “Just deal with it.” For many male survivors, that voice is louder than the abuse itself. From the time many boys are young, they are taught to […]
RADV: Which Road Will You Take?
There comes a moment in nearly every survivor’s journey when the road ahead divides. One path says, “Stay.” The other whispers, “Go.” Neither road is easy. You may ask yourself: “What if I can’t make it on my own?” “What if things get worse?” “How will this affect my children?” “Am I making the right […]
RADV: You Are the Author of Your Own Story
There are chapters in life that none of us would have chosen. Some are filled with heartbreak. Some with fear. Some with betrayal. Some with silence. For many survivors of domestic violence and abuse, those chapters feel so overwhelming that they begin to believe they define the entire book. They don’t. The people who hurt […]
RADV: You Can Get Your Joy Back
One of the hardest things to explain after abuse is this: You don’t always feel like yourself anymore. Things that once made you laugh don’t seem funny. Peace feels unfamiliar. You may find yourself constantly waiting for something to go wrong, even when everything around you is calm. That isn’t because you’re weak. It’s because […]
Rebuilding After Abuse
By Riders Against Domestic Violence Rebuilding your life after abuse isn’t about going back to who you were. It’s about becoming someone stronger than you ever thought possible. After abuse, everything can feel broken—your confidence, your sense of safety, even your identity. The silence can be loud. The doubt can creep in. And the question […]
RADV: Living With Someone Who Shows Narcissistic Behaviors
Living with someone who shows narcissistic behaviors can slowly change the way you see yourself. It rarely begins with obvious abuse. It often starts with charm, attention, and promises that make you feel like you’ve finally found someone who understands you. But over time, that same person may begin to criticize you, manipulate your emotions, […]
RADV: The Heart of a Survivor
There is something extraordinary about the heart of a survivor. It has been broken, yet it still finds ways to love. It has been betrayed, yet it still hopes that trust can exist again. It has carried fear, heartbreak, loneliness, and uncertainty—but it continues to beat with courage. People often see survivors as victims of […]