Blog

By Zoe Reilly Many adult survivors of domestic abuse describe childhood homes that felt both familiar and frightening. Safety was inconsistent, protection uncertain, and the atmosphere volatile, unpredictable, and overwhelming. In such environments, children often learn to comply, stay quiet, and make themselves small because that feels safer. A young survivor, told me they had been nicknamed “miserable” when in truth they are not miserable at all — they are silent. Silence b

Imagine living your life entirely for the safety of three other human beings who rely on you for their survival. Literally, every decision, every breath shaped around keeping them safe. That is what motherhood looks like when you are raising children in an abusive environment. You almost become attuned to a lioness primal instinct. My daughters are my love, my life, my purpose as with many parents and caregivers. However, when you live through abuse together, the bond between

Today is my 45th birthday. It's been a really tricky year. I'd use a stronger word, but for now I'll keep it PG. This year, I've had to completely rebuild my foundations. I've learned so much about myself, about healing, and about the expectations we place on ourselves and others when it comes to recovery. We seem to think healing should follow some kind of self-help handbook: write the lists, tick the boxes, follow the steps. I have never been very good at tick-box exercises