Encouraging Domestic Violence Quotes To Empower Survivors

What are powerful domestic violence quotes?

Here are some quotes about abuse, that some survivors may find helpful or relatable: 

• “All too often women believe it is a sign of commitment, an expression of love, to endure unkindness or cruelty, to forgive and forget. In actuality, when we love rightly we know that the healthy, loving response to cruelty and abuse is putting ourselves out of harm's way.” –Bell Hooks, All About Love: New Visions
• “Don't judge yourself by what others did to you.” –C. Kennedy, Ómorphi
• “So often survivors have had their experiences denied, trivialized, or distorted. Writing is an important avenue for healing because it gives you the opportunity to define your own reality. You can say: This did happen to me. It was that bad. It was the fault & responsibility of the adult. I was—and am—innocent.”--Ellen Bass, The Courage To Heal: A Guide for Women Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse
• “Like a constant ringing in the ears or background noise, the frequency of emotional abuse has caused us to try to ignore it since we can’t ever seem to get away from it. And if we can ignore it, we can deny not only its existence but also its effects.” —Gregory L. Jantz
• “You’re in a relationship to be happy, to smile, to laugh, and to make good memories. Not to be constantly upset, to feel hurt, and to cry.” –Unknown

What is a good quote about violence?

Here are some quotes about violence: 

• “All violence consists of some people forcing others, under threat of suffering or death, to do what they do not want to do.” –Leo Tolstoy
• “Every woman who thinks she is the only victim of violence has to know that there are many more.” –Salma Hayek
• “Women endure entire lifetimes of these indignities—in the form of catcalls, groping, assault, oppression. These things injure us. They sap our strength. Some of the cuts are so small they’re barely visible. Others are huge and gaping, leaving scars that never heal. Either way, they accumulate. We carry them everywhere, to and from school and work, at home while raising our children, at our places of worship, anytime we try to advance.” –Michelle Obama, Becoming
• “All violence is the result of people tricking themselves into believing that their pain derives from other people and that consequently those people deserve to be punished.” –Marshall B. Rosenberg, Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life

What are some quotes about fighting abuse?

As stated by Jessica A. Oates, LPCC-S, PMH-C, “Trauma creates change you don’t choose. Healing creates change you do.” Though the healing process can be very unique, challenging and painful, there are some quotes about overcoming abuse that you may find helpful: 

• “Each time a woman stands up for herself, without knowing it possibly, without claiming it, she stands up for all women.” –Maya Angelou
• “You can recognize survivors of abuse by their courage. When silence is so very inviting, they step forward and discuss their truth so others know they aren't alone.” –Jeanne McElvaney, Healing Insights: Effects of Abuse for Adults Abused as Children
• “When it comes to abuse, you believe there’s no way out. There is always help. There is always a way out.” – Donna Mulvey
• “Overcoming abuse doesn’t just happen, It takes positive steps every day. Let today be the day you start to move forward.” – Assunta Harris
• “There is no timestamp on trauma. There isn’t a formula that you can insert yourself into to get from horror to healed. Be patient. Take up space. Let your journey be the balm.” – Dawn Serra
• “I have the power to change my physical and emotional experience.” –Patricia Dsouza
• “Do not look for healing at the feet of those who broke you” –Rupi Kaur, milk and honey
• “Survivors of abuse show us the strength of their personal spirit every time they smile.” –Jeanne McElvaney, Healing Insights: Effects of Abuse for Adults Abused as Children

What is the circle of violence quote?

In the television show, True Detective, homicide detective Rustin Cohle says, "My life's been a circle of violence and degradation for as long as I can remember. I'm ready to tie it off." This quote references the Seventh Circle of Hell (also called the Hell of the Violent) in Dante’s Inferno, which is occupied by individuals who have engaged in violence. 

What is the most hurtful quote?

The following quote investigates a hurtful comment that is relatable for many people who have experienced domestic violence: 

“You’re too sensitive’ victims of sexual abuse are told over and over by those whose reality depends on being insensitive. Most adults who have been in the victim role cringe when anyone tells them they are sensitive. In fact, sensitivity is a lovely trait and one to be cherished in any human being.” –Renee Fredrickson, Repressed Memories: A Journey to Recovery from Sexual Abuse

What are gaslighting quotes?

Gaslighting is a form of manipulation and emotional abuse that is usually characterized by a sustained effort to undermine someone's trust in their own reality. Oftentimes, gaslighting confuses and isolates victims, causing them to second-guess themselves or question if they are “crazy” or “overly sensitive.” Many abusive relationships exhibit signs of gaslighting.

Phrases used in gaslighting

The following phrases are commonly used by gaslighters to discredit the emotional experience of others: 

• “Stop being dramatic.” 
• “You’re being too sensitive.” 
• “That never happened.” 
• “You know I was joking, why don’t you have a sense of humor?” 
• “You’re always angry.” 
• “Everyone knows I’m right.” 
• “You always accuse me of that. It’s not like you’re perfect.” 
• “You’re really going to say that after everything I’ve done for you?”

Quotes about gaslighting

` If you have an abusive partner, you might find these quotes about gaslighting relatable: 

• “If you alter your behaviour because you are frightened of how your partner will react, you are being abused.” –Sandra Horley
• “Narcissists withhold affection to punish you. Withhold attention to get revenge. And withhold an emotional empathetic response to make you feel insecure.” –Alice Little
• “Toxic people be like, ‘How dare you set boundaries and not allow me to control and manipulate you?’” – Wingheart
• “Gaslighting is the systematic attempt by one person to erode another person’s reality by telling them that what they are experiencing isn’t so — and, the gradual giving up on the part of the other person.” –Robin Stern

What is a famous quote about stopping violence?

Most people believe that freedom from emotional and physical abuse are basic human rights. The following quotes discuss the need to stop intimate partner abuse and physical violence: 

• “If we are to fight discrimination and injustice against women we must start from the home for if a woman cannot be safe in her own house then she cannot be expected to feel safe anywhere.” –Aysha Taryam
• “Violence against women is an appalling human rights violation. But it is not inevitable. We can put a stop to this.” –Nicole Kidman
• “Violence needs to stop. All of us - men and women - need to speak up and teach our children that violence is never the solution. Together we can all make a difference. The best place to start is with yourself.” –Will Young
• “Domestic violence can be so easy for people to ignore, as it often happens without any witnesses and it is sometimes easier not to get involved. Yet, by publicly speaking out against domestic violence, together we can challenge attitudes towards violence in the home and show that domestic violence is a crime and not merely unacceptable.” –Honor Blackman
• “Victims of domestic violence need assistance and deserve justice. I commend the crime unit’s efforts to put offenders behind bars and reach out to victims.” –Bob Riley
• “Sexual assault and domestic violence are difficult things to talk about. Talk about them anyway.” –Mariska Hargitay

What is a quote about not using violence?

Here are some famous quotes about the power of nonviolence: 

• “Nonviolence is a powerful and just weapon, which cuts without wounding and ennobles the man who wields it. It is a sword that heals.” –Martin Luther King, Jr.
• “Consciously or unconsciously, every one of us does render some service or other. If we cultivate the habit of doing this service deliberately, our desire for service will steadily grow stronger, and will make, not only for our own happiness, but that of the world at large.” –Mahatma Gandhi

What is a famous quote about harm?

Here are some famous quotes about harm: 

• “If you can, help others; if you cannot do that, at least do not harm them.” –Dalai Lama XIV
• “Strength isn’t measured by the ability to cause harm.” –Nina Varela, Iron Heart
• “All mankind... being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty or possessions.” –John Locke

What are toxic relationship quotes?

Here are a few quotes about toxic relationships: 

• “Don’t confuse “familiar” with “acceptable”. Toxic relationships can fool you like that.” –Steve Maraboli
• “His bacteria seeps through unknowingly like the dirt that clogs a pore.” –Vanessa de Largie, Don't Hit Me!
• “I used to think the worst thing in life was to end up all alone. It’s not. The worst thing in life is ending up with people who make you feel all alone” –Robin Williams
• “Domestic violence is not physical violence alone, it can be verbal. This case of violence can happen to anyone regardless of age and gender. Many people who experience domestic violence don’t even realize that they are in an abusive relationship.” –Zisilia Alvsa