Healing and hope flourish in community, and your role as our partners, supporters, and neighbors is invaluable. It’s because of you that we can stand with survivors, always.
October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and we’re reflecting on what it means to show up for those navigating unsafe relationships and how our Crime Victim Services Coordinator works every day to help them rebuild.
As part of our Transitional Living Program (TLP), made possible by a grant from the federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA), we offer a Domestic Violence Housing Program. This program provides a safe, stable home specifically for young people who have experienced domestic violence. The goal is simple but life-changing: to give survivors a place where they can finally rest and feel safe, sometimes for the first time in years.
We spoke with Lindsey, our Parent Mentor and Crime Victim Services Coordinator, about how Huckleberry House stands with survivors as they take steps toward safety and healing.
What does “With Survivors, Always” mean to you personally and professionally?
Being in a domestic violence relationship can be exhausting and deeply frustrating. Often, abuse doesn’t come to light until survivors begin to push back against the control and manipulation they’ve endured. When that happens, survivors can sometimes appear to be the “escalated” ones, when in truth, they’re finally realizing how trapped and unsafe they’ve been.
That’s why believing survivors is so vital. It takes immense courage to leave a harmful relationship. Abusers often know how to control their emotions and manipulate how others perceive the situation. Survivors need to know they are believed, supported, and not alone.
How do you show up for survivors of domestic violence and young people in unsafe situations?
My role at Huckleberry House is unique because I serve as both the Parent Mentor and Crime Victim Services Coordinator. I work closely with survivors to help them understand how domestic violence affects their children.
For a long time, people believed that kids who witnessed violence would simply “bounce back.” But research shows that children in violent homes often experience long-term emotional and behavioral effects. Helping survivors understand that leaving an abusive relationship is one of the best things they can do for their children is essential.
From there, we work on rebuilding family bonds, teaching survivors how to show love, create stability, and model healthy relationships so their children can grow up feeling safe and valued.
How does Huckleberry House create a space where survivors feel heard, supported, and believed?
This is where “with survivors, always” truly comes to life. Survivors are often starting over from scratch, and that can feel overwhelming. The most important thing we can offer is a team that meets them where they are, helping them rebuild confidence, stability, and trust in themselves.
Through our Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) and Transitional Living Program (TLP), we focus on healing, empowerment, and independence. Once survivors feel safe and supported, we work alongside them on life skills, counseling, parenting, and re-establishing a foundation for a life free from abuse.
If you could write a “love letter” to survivors, what would you say?
I believe you. I believe in your strength. You have the right to learn, to heal, and to build a life rooted in safety and self-worth. There is no judgment here, only support. You have a team of people who will show up for you, no matter how big or small the problem feels. We are not giving up on you. It’s okay to have hard days. You’ve already done one of the bravest things imaginable: choosing a different life where you can feel safe and in control.
For those who want to support survivors in their own lives, what’s the best way to show up?
Patience and consistency matter most. It’s rarely easy for someone to leave an abusive relationship; research shows that it can take, on average, seven attempts before a survivor can leave for good.
Abusers work hard to isolate their victims from friends, family, and community. If someone you care about is in an abusive relationship, stay connected. Let them know you’re there without judgment. The support you offer, just being a steady, compassionate presence, can make a world of difference when they’re ready to take that next step.
What do you wish more people understood about domestic violence and its impact on young people?
“Love bombing” is a major factor in the relationships we see among young people. It often starts with overwhelming affection and attention, quickly becoming a situation where one partner controls the other’s finances, social life, or even transportation.
At first, it feels like love. Then, when that love turns into manipulation, jealousy, or isolation, it leaves the young person confused and questioning what they did wrong. It’s heartbreaking, but understanding this pattern helps us educate youth about the signs of unhealthy relationships before the cycle of abuse can take hold.
What gives you hope about the work being done to support survivors in our community?
Every time I teach a lesson on healthy relationships and boundaries, I feel hopeful. Many of the young people we work with have never seen a healthy relationship modeled for them. Simply having the space to talk openly about what love and respect should look like can be life-changing.
My favorite lesson is about “Rights and Responsibilities in Relationships.” We walk through what both partners deserve and what both are responsible for. It’s amazing to watch young people realize they have the right to be respected, supported, and safe, and that love should never come at the cost of their independence or well-being.
That’s what gives me hope: seeing the next generation learn to recognize their worth and build relationships founded on mutual care and respect.
At Huckleberry House, we are with survivors, always—in moments of crisis, in times of rebuilding, and throughout every step toward healing.
If you or someone you know is navigating an unsafe situation, there are resources available to support you:
- Love is Respect | National online resource offering information, support, and guidance for anyone experiencing relationship abuse.
- Center for Family Safety and Healing | Local Columbus resource providing advocacy, counseling, and emergency support for survivors of domestic violence.
