For much of my life, I believed I had an idyllic childhood. I grew up the youngest of five children in a close-knit Midwestern family. Our summers were spent at the country club and on Lake Huron. I sang along to Donny Osmond songs, put on plays in the backyard, took gymnastics lessons, and loved being a Brownie. From the outside, my life looked idyllic. In many ways, it was. That is what made my secret so difficult to carry. Because from the ages of 7 to 12, I was sexually a

I survived abuse and walked away from my family with my son, only to be failed by the justice system, which has traumatized my 12-year-old son. He panics whenever he sees a police van, thinking I will be taken and he will be left alone. WHAT THEY BUILT AFTER It's been three months, and it's hard, especially since my son is also attending therapy and dealing with the psychological impacts, which I blame myself for. But the peace of mind we now have is bliss, and I have learned

Before I start, let me say that I am so happy I've come this far and that I am finally at a point in my life where I can write about and share my story. Hopefully, my story hits home with someone and brings attention to DV, coercive control, and post-separation abuse! I pray it helps make a difference. Every one of us that has experienced domestic violence, especially with children in the mix, is watching the most heartbreaking events unfold before our eyes. If we victims/sur

I was orphaned at eight years old when my father murdered my mother and committed suicide. As a kid, I was very intelligent and an exceptional wrestler. I placed in the top 6 at nationals for six consecutive years. At 19, I started using cocaine and struggled with it for about 12 years before switching to opiates. That's when life spiralled hard. For another 13 years, I battled addiction. I got clean 14 months ago, and I am now raising my three pre-teen children as a single f

Sarah Elizabeth Bloom is a writer, death doula, rare disease advocate, and survivor of extensive childhood, interpersonal, and medical trauma. Her early life was marked by childhood sexual abuse, repeated victimization, bullying, and traumatic experiences that profoundly shaped her understanding of suffering, resilience, and human connection. Throughout adolescence and adulthood, she endured further experiences of violence, coercion, and life-threatening situations. Alongside