Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October is a time to honor survivors, raise awareness, and advocate for change. While conversations often focus on safety and crisis intervention, we must also ask: What happens after survival? How do survivors move from surviving to thriving?
Surviving abuse is only the beginning of a long healing journey. Mental health support plays a critical role in helping survivors reclaim safety, identity, and hope.
What Is Domestic Violence vs. Intimate Partner Violence?
Domestic Violence (DV) and Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings:
- DV: A pattern of abusive behaviors—physical, sexual, emotional, economic, psychological, or technological—used to gain power and control over another person in a household.
- IPV: Abuse or aggression within a romantic relationship, including physical violence, sexual violence, stalking, and psychological aggression.
| Term | Scope | Common Usage |
| Domestic Violence | Includes intimate partners and other household members | U.S. legal and advocacy contexts |
| Intimate Partner Violence | Focuses only on romantic partners | Global public health and research |
For this article, we’ll use Domestic Violence to reflect the broader spectrum of abuse. We also want to identify that for this article we are referencing violence against women as the overall theme, but domestic violence is not only against women – in fact according to research from Break the Cycle, 2 in 5 men [more than 40%] have experienced some form of physical violence, stalking or sexual violence during their lifetime.
This further emphasizes that domestic violence does not care about your gender – it has the ability to impact anyone.
The Hidden Wounds of Domestic Violence
DV doesn’t always leave visible scars. Survivors often experience PTSD, depression, anxiety, shame, dissociation, and hypervigilance—natural responses to trauma that can create barriers in daily life.
Research shows:
- Women exposed to DV/IPV are 3x more likely to develop PTSD.
- Mothers who experience DV are twice as likely to develop postpartum depression.
- Survivors face double to triple the risk of depressive disorders.
(Source: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/15248380231155529)
Why Mental Health Support Matters
Therapy provides a safe space to process trauma, rebuild trust, and restore a sense of control. Healing is not just about reducing symptoms—it’s about reclaiming joy, agency, and connection.
What Does Thriving Look Like?
Thriving after trauma is deeply personal. It might mean:
- Feeling safe in your own body.
- Reconnecting with children or loved ones.
- Pursuing education or creative passions.
Signs of thriving include:
- ✅ Rebuilding internal and external safety.
- ✅ Developing emotional regulation and self-compassion.
- ✅ Setting healthy boundaries.
- ✅ Rediscovering identity and purpose.
- ✅ Finding joy in everyday moments.
The Role of Mental Health Professionals
Professionals can help survivors thrive by:
- Validating experiences without judgment.
- Offering evidence-based therapies (EMDR, DBT, trauma-focused CBT).
- Recognizing cultural and socioeconomic intersections.
- Collaborating with shelters, advocates, and legal services.
The Role of Family & Friends
Loved ones are often the first line of support. Here’s how to help:
- Listen without judgment—avoid “Why didn’t you leave?”
- Validate and believe—“I believe you” can be life-changing.
- Offer practical support—transportation, childcare, resource connections.
- Respect autonomy—support decisions without pressure.
- Learn about DV and trauma—knowledge reduces stigma.
- Stay consistent and patient—healing takes time.
Barriers to Thriving
Survivors face stigma, financial insecurity, and limited access to care. Community advocacy and trauma-informed systems are essential to remove these barriers.
Call to Action: Join Us
Healing doesn’t happen in isolation—it happens in community. Join Progress Valley’s Mental Health Clinic for our upcoming workshop:
Understanding Anger & Violence: Tools for Healing and Prevention
Wednesday, Nov 12 | 12–5 PM
Together, we can turn awareness into action.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available.
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
24/7 Crisis & Support Hotlines
- Minnesota Day One® Crisis Line
• For domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and crime victims
• Phone: 1‑866‑223‑1111 | Text: 612‑399‑9995
• Trauma-informed advocates available statewide [dps.mn.gov], [dayoneservices.org] [dayoneservices.org], [findahelpline.com] - Minnesota Crime Victim Support Line
• Supports all crime victims, including domestic violence
• Phone: 1‑866‑385‑2699 | Text: 612‑399‑9977 [dps.mn.gov], [mn.gov] - Violence Free Minnesota Hotline
• Domestic violence program referrals, advocacy, shelter information
• Phone: 1‑866‑223‑1111 | Text: 612‑399‑9995 [vfmn.org], [vfmn.org] - National & Specialized Hotlines (via VfMN):
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1‑800‑799‑7233
- Deaf Domestic Violence Videophone: 855‑812‑1001
- StrongHearts Native Helpline: 844‑762‑8483 [vfmn.org]
Emergency Shelter & Advocacy
- Violence Free Minnesota
• Offers domestic violence shelter referrals by county
• Comprehensive prevention and advocacy programs [vfmn.org], [vfmn.org] - Alexandra House (Twin Cities metro)
• 24/7 hotline: 763‑780‑2330
• Emergency shelter, pet-friendly rooms, advocacy, support services [vfmn.org], [alexandrahouse.org] - Cornerstone (formerly Minnesota Day One)
• Safe emergency shelter in Bloomington
• Services: safety planning, legal support, pet fostering, advocacy [cornerstonemn.org], [minnesotar…covery.org] - HelpMeConnect Database
• Directory of local DV agencies across counties
• Includes shelters, support services, crisis intervention [helpmeconn…tate.mn.us]
Legal Rights & Resources
- Minnesota Attorney General: Domestic Abuse Rights & Resources
• Information on protective orders, tenant protections, financial safeguards, and Safe at Home confidential address program [ag.state.mn.us] - Standpoint
• Statewide legal consultation and referrals
• Phone: 612‑343‑9842 [sos.mn.gov] - Battered Women’s Justice Project
• Legal resources for protective orders, systemic interventions
• Phone: 612‑824‑8768 [sos.mn.gov]
Culturally Specific & Community Supports
- Minnesota Indian Women’s Sexual Assault Coalition
• Native American-led services
• Phone: 651‑646‑4800 [sos.mn.gov] - Civil Society
• Legal support for immigrant survivors
• Phone: 651‑291‑0713 [sos.mn.gov] - Esperanza United
• Support for Spanish-speaking survivors
• Phone: 651‑772‑1611 [vfmn.org] - OutFront Minnesota
• LGBTQ+ anti-violence support
• Phone: 800‑800‑0350 [sos.mn.gov], [vfmn.org]
