Trish Steele, founder of the nonprofit Safe Passage Heals, speaks with George Alger about three essential tips for individuals looking to break out of the cycle of domestic abuse to move toward a healthier life.
Core Tips to Break the Cycle
1) Honesty with Oneself: The first step is realizing and admitting that you do not deserve the abuse. This involves finding the courage to seek help before the situation leads to severe physical harm or worse.
2) Allow Yourself to Heal: Once out of the relationship, it is vital to seek professional counseling. Steele emphasizes that it is extremely difficult to heal alone. Counselors help survivors understand the “red flags” of abuse, stop blaming themselves, and understand how they remained in the environment to prevent it from happening again.
3) Envision a New Life: Survivors must have hope and visualize a future where they are self-sufficient.
Defining Abuse
Steele explains that abuse is not strictly physical; it often includes:
- Emotional/Verbal Abuse: Tearing down a person’s self-esteem and identity.
- Financial Abuse: Controlling all financial resources so the victim cannot live independently.
- Negative Environments: Living in a space filled with rage and hostility.
Moving from Victim to Victorious
The overarching goal of Safe Passage Heals is to help individuals transition from a “victim mentality” to a “victorious mentality.” This process can take anywhere from a few months to a year, but the focus is on transforming past trauma into a positive legacy.
TV broadcast week beginning 04/12/26
Producer: George Alger
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