How Does the Safe Connections Act Help Survivors?
The Safe Connections Act protects survivors who share a phone plan with their abuser.
Category: Supporting Survivors
How Does the “Take it Down” Act Impact Domestic Violence Survivors?
On May 19, 2025, the legislative bill S.146, also known as the “Take it Down” Act, was officially signed into law in the wake of overwhelming bipartisan support. The bill’s main purpose is to “prohibit the nonconsensual online publication of intimate visual depictions of individuals, both authentic and computer-generated,” essentially criminalizing the sharing of deepfakes, AI-generated images, and similar forms of harmful content. But how does…
Providing Financial Help for Domestic Violence Survivors
The following blog post was written by Nancy Teeven, a longstanding member of REACH’s Board of Directors. Domestic abuse is ugly in so many ways, and much more prevalent than any of us like to think about. More than one in three women (35.6%) and one in four men (28.5%) in the US have experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their…
Homelessness – Creating a Path to Healing and Stability
*In honor of National Homelessness Awareness Month, members of REACH’s residential advocacy team collaborated on the following blog post which brings attention to the clear yet often overlooked link between homelessness and domestic violence. As we observe National Homelessness Awareness Month, it’s important to reflect on the lives of the countless individuals who have experienced homelessness due to circumstances beyond their control. One of the most…
How Can Schools Best Support Children and Teen Survivors of Domestic Violence?
*This post was written using valuable input from Catalina Folch, REACH’s Children and Families Program Manager For most people, September is that cozy time of the year when the leaves start changing color and we gradually shift from the hot summer months into a cooler fall period. But for kids and teens heading back to school, September can be much more stressful. This is especially true…
For Survivors’ Safety, Let’s Create More Affordable Housing
*Written by Marion Davis, a long-serving member of REACH’s Board of Directors. One of the most common questions domestic violence survivors face is: “Why didn’t you leave?” The answers are as complex as life itself, but the main reason is often simple. Where would they go? For every survivor who has a mom, sibling or friend they can move in with, many more have no viable…
Maya’s Journey with REACH
How your year-end gift makes a difference in countless ways. My name is Pam Jordan, and I am the Director of Community Advocacy at REACH Beyond Domestic Violence. I cannot begin to thank you enough for your ongoing support. You make it possible for REACH to help survivors transition from that first, brave call to our hotline, through safety planning and sometimes a stay in a…
10 Years/10 Lessons: A Personal Journey with REACH
Lauren Nackel, Human Resources Manager, shares her thoughts and wisdom gained throughout ten years of service on behalf of domestic violence survivors at REACH Beyond Domestic Violence. I recently celebrated my 10-year anniversary of working at REACH Beyond Domestic Violence. As I reflect on what this means, I find myself overwhelmed with gratitude that I’ve had the unique privilege to work not only in this vitally…
Myths & Facts About Restraining Orders
There are a variety of reasons that a survivor might have against filing a restraining order. Survivors are the best experts of their situations, and it is their right to choose how they want to move forward.
Overcoming Loneliness
When I watched the news about U. S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy addressing loneliness, I felt disheartened because, as Director of Prevention Programs, I know our team is focused on building and sustaining healthy relationships and creating a sense of community. We combat loneliness and isolation every day. He has brought national attention to a very real public health crisis. Dr. Murthy’s new Surgeon General…
