Articles

When it comes to violence, society often squints at the victim, especially women: Her behavior, her history, and especially her choices. Why was she doing in the wrong place at the wrong time? She should know better. Did she know her attacker? How was she dressed? Wait…was she drinking? This obsession with creating the "perfect victim" — one who checks every box that society deems worthy of sympathy — perpetuates dangerous myths that displace responsibility and worst of all, minimizes the reality of violence against women.

But let’s flip the script: if there’s no such thing as a "perfect victim," then why do we allow the myth of the "perfect perpetrator?”

When you hear the word "clique," you might picture a group of women huddled together at a high school lunch table, whispering and casting side-eyes at anyone daring to approach. But cliques don’t have to be exclusionary or mean. In fact, they can serve as a powerful force for good—especially when it comes to women’s safety.

Let’s flip the script on cliques and talk about not only protecting members of the group but also extending your influence to help others. Think of them less as gated communities and more as circles of support, and yes, empowerment. Here’s how we can make that happen.

Let’s get real — violence against women is a global crisis. According to the World Health Organization, 1 in 3 women worldwide has experienced physical or sexual violence in their lifetime. These aren’t just numbers—they’re people’s lives that are disrupted, their futures stolen, and potential crushed.

But there are practical steps that you can take today to help make the world safer for women. Here are five of them.

Coercive control is a pattern of behaviors where one person tries to dominate and control every aspect of their partner’s life. They use manipulation, fear, and emotional tactics to take away someone’s freedom and independence.

Think of it as an invisible cage—one where the bars are made of rules, restrictions, and constant pressure to please the other person. Over time, this control can make you feel trapped, powerless, and even unsure of your own thoughts and feelings. But when you recognize the signs, you’ll be less likely to become a victim.

International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

Every year on November 25, we observe the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women—a blunt reminder of the continuing battle for women's safety and dignity worldwide. And despite decades of activism and progress, violence is increasing, fueled by weaponized technology. In 2024, three critical issues stand out.

As the days grow shorter and the nights stretch longer, the shift from daylight to dark winter nights can bring emotional and physical challenges—especially for women. You may not realize the effects that those long nights can have on your mental well-being, nor the advantage of cover that it provides for potential predators.

Here’s what to look for and some ways that you can keep yourself safe.

Are you feeling overwhelmed? In today’s turbulent environment, you might feel that a lot. Whether it’s personal trauma, global instability, or the constant churn of demands on our time and energy (especially for women), the weight of it all might leave you feeling stuck. But there’s a way through it—and it often involves passing through three stages: despair, anger, and peace.

When people have been traumatized and subsequently suffer from PTSD, they often wonder if they’ll ever be the same again. From my perspective, the answer is sadly no. Because it’s physically impossible. We really can’t be the same because trauma actually rewires the brain. But for many people who have suffered from the often-unimaginable pain from trauma, there is another path—one that doesn’t just mean survival, but transformation.

Many people seem to think that domestic violence and abuse happen out of the blue. They don’t realize that domestic abuse is a pattern—and it can start as early as the first date. The tricky part is that some of these warning signs can easily be mistaken for attraction or passion. But the good news? If you know what to look for, these red flags become easier to spot. But keep in mind, it’s not about one or two isolated behaviors: it’s about noticing the patterns or a combination of behaviors.  

Cassie Ventura and Gisèle Pélicot are women who come from completely different walks of life, yet their stories are both almost unimaginable in the horror and scope of sexual violence and rape inflicted on them by their respective former partners. Yet both are using their horrific stories to hold their former partners accountable, and they are holding their heads high while doing so. They are refusing to bend to society’s insistence of silence and are using their stories to encourage other victims to speak up and to put the shame where it belongs: on the perpetrators.

When I think of criminal profiling, it’s easy to picture iconic fictional figures like Clarice Starling from The Silence of the Lambs or Holden Ford from Netflix’s Mindhunter. But it turns out that there is a real-life genius behind both of these characters whose work has literally changed the world: Dr. Ann Burgess.

The FBI was impressed with her work interviewing rape victims and categorizing the data, which at the time was basically ignored by law enforcement. But that was only her side gig. She also continued serving as the Dean of Nursing Studies at Boston College—and raising four young children.

What’s a situationship? It’s a gray relationship area somewhere in between "just talking" and "full-blown couple," accompanied by ambiguity, undefined expectations, and emotional blurring.  It’s a convenient netherworld between friendship and Relationship; it could be romantic (or not), is often emotional, and probably hasn’t been discussed. You’re both just there…and there hasn’t really been defined. Although convenient, the relationship ambiguity can lead to misunderstandings, hurt feelings, and make it hard to recognize if it’s becoming toxic.

Emotional manipulation is a subtle yet powerful way that someone may use to try to control you. It can occur in all kinds of relationships, including romantic partnerships, friendships, and even family ties. By its very nature, manipulation means deceit, because if you knew what the manipulator really wanted, you wouldn’t go along with whatever they’re asking for (or demanding). Understanding the signs of emotional manipulation is critical, not only to keep yourself from getting scammed, but also to protect your own mental health.

The Clery Act is a landmark federal law designed to promote transparency around campus crime policy and statistics. It mandates that colleges and universities participating in federal financial aid programs disclose information about crime on and around their campuses. Here's how to find information on specific universities and those colleges slapped with whopping fines for Clery Act violation.

Do you know someone who is constantly complaining? They may be a narcissist trying to manipulate you. Narcissism is often associated with grandiosity, entitlement, and a desperate need for admiration. But, one of the things that many people don’t know about narcissism is its deep connection with negativity. Narcissists often wield complaining as a weapon, using it to manipulate those around them, redirect attention to themselves, and maintain control over their environment.

Misogyny is a global crisis, continuing to fuel Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) in both overt and subtle forms. And despite the growing awareness of gender-based violence, there remains a reluctance to address the root causes. This reluctance is evident in various ways, including the shocking fact that femicide is not even recognized as a distinct crime in the United States. A recent article from The Economic Times recently highlighted how entrenched misogyny perpetuates this violence.

The term "domestic dispute" is often used in the media, by law enforcement and by legal commentators to describe conflicts between intimate partners or family members. But this seemingly mild phrase can be dangerously misleading when it is applied to situations that are actually domestic violence. Is it arguing or is it violence?

Heading off to college is super exciting, but it can also be a little nerve-wracking—especially when it comes to staying safe in a new environment. Luckily, there are some pretty cool safety apps out there that can give you and your family some peace of mind. Three of the top ones are "I'm Safe," "Noonlight," and "bSafe." Let’s break down what each one offers and figure out which one might be the best fit for you as you start your new chapter.

Greek life is an institution on many campuses. And it’s a significant aspect of American university life for many students; fraternities and sororities offer opportunities for support, leadership, and a lifelong community. And for many, it’s a huge part of their college experience. But under the surface of this seemingly beneficial institution is a dark truth: Greek life is also associated with an increased risk of sexual assaults.

I’ve always been a big sister, which is probably why I do what I do. So, from a Big Sister aspect, I want to know my little sisters know how to keep themselves safe as they arrive on campus. So, consider me as your honorary sorority big sister for a moment. Hey, Sis…welcome to campus and your new life! This is the start of your amazing journey, so I want to let you know a few things to be wary of, especially regarding your personal safety.

DARVO—Deny, Attack, and Reverse Victim and Offender—is a manipulative tactic that abusers use to evade accountability, manipulate the situation, and distort public perception. This psychological strategy has been infamously employed by high-profile individuals, most recently by an Olympic beach volleyball player convicted of child rape, and actor Johnny Depp, during his legal battle with Amber Heard. By analyzing these cases, we can better understand how DARVO allows abusers to shift the narrative to present themselves as victim.

September is Campus Safety Awareness Month, but it isn’t too early to start. As your young adult gears up to leave for their first (or maybe second or third) fall semester of college, it’s time to have The TALK. No, not the birds and the bees—that ship sailed a long time ago. This talk is about something equally important, if not more so: how to navigate the early months of college safely.

Schools are facing an epidemic of students creating deepfake pornography of their classmates. AI deepfakes have emerged as a significant threat to female students, some as young as 12- and 13-years-old. But despite the distress and emotional trauma to victims, response (if any) of school administrations varies wildly - reflecting the broader issue where many educational systems and legislators are unprepared to handle the rapid rise of AI-generated deepfakes.

When most people think of coercive control, they imagine an abusive dynamic within an intimate relationship, where one partner systematically erodes the autonomy and self-worth of the other. But this power dynamic isn’t confined to the home. It also manifests in the workplace, where it becomes a deeply damaging form of workplace bullying that can devastate victims' careers and well-being. And although they may seem similar, there are differences.

The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay is revolutionizing crisis intervention and mental health support through its innovative daily use of dynamic data and proactive collaboration with law enforcement. This model not only accelerates their ability to respond to those in crisis, but also serves as a blueprint for other communities aiming to improve their rapid response systems and enhance public safety.

Trauma is a terrible but inevitable aspect of life, impacting all of us in different, but profound ways. Two primary psychological responses to trauma are Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG). While PTSD has gotten more attention, we know from experience that PTG offers hope after PTSD, where adversity can be a catalyst for positive transformation.

In a world where women are constantly trying to balance the shifting sands of our personal and professional lives, having a reliable support system is more than helpful—it's essential. A powerful tool that really appeals to both of us is the concept of a Personal Board of Directors for your life, or a “Truth Council." Inspired by Melinda French Gates' recent conversation with Oprah Winfrey, the idea of a truth council—composed of trusted female friends who offer support, guidance, and accountability—can have a profound impact on your life. It has with mine.

What is drink spiking? It happens when someone secretly adds drugs or alcohol to a person’s drink without their knowledge or consent. And unfortunately, it’s becoming increasingly prevalent, especially on college campuses. A lot of people may think that it’s just a prank. But whatever the motive, spiking is never ok or funny, because it affects your judgement, your memory and your ability to make decisions in your own best interest. So, it’s crucial for students (especially if you’re new on campus) to understand spiking and how predators use it to target victims.

Gymnastics powerhouse, Simone Biles, has long been celebrated for her extraordinary athleticism, boundless energy, and unrivaled achievements. Her journey, however, extends far beyond the mat. Simone’s life is a testament to the resilience and strength of the human spirit, having triumphed over a harrowing foster care experience, the trauma of sexual abuse, and a profound mental health crisis. Her story is not just one of survival but of post-traumatic growth, offering a beacon of hope for others navigating our own stormy paths.

Spain's attempts to combat domestic violence took an early digital turn with the adoption of a predictive algorithm designed to foresee and prevent such crimes. Unfortunately, what was heralded as a technological leap in public safety subsequently turned into a grim reminder of the limitations of over-relying on flawed technology. This ancient algorithm, now synonymous with failure, has resulted in dozens of tragic deaths and shattered lives. What’s the solution?