Women at Risk: Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Posted on October 1, 2026
by Adrienne A
According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline (800.799.SAFE 7233) one in four women over the age of 18 have been the victim of severe physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime. Awareness is a step to ending the cycle of abuse. The Toledo Library offers the following resources to help those facing domestic violence:
the escape plan by Kimberly Felice
The Escape Plan isn't just advice-It's the proven blueprint Kimberly Felice used to safely escape an abusive marriage. After nearly nine years of freedom, she's ready to share the exact strategies that worked for her, empowering others to break free and start a new chapter. As a nurse with experience in both mental and clinical care, Kimberly witnesses the struggles of domestic violence survivors daily. Combining her personal journey with her professional expertise, she offers a clear, step-by-step guide designed specifically for those trapped in abusive, narcissistic, or toxic relationships.
the black woman's guide to overcoming domestic violence by Shavonne J. Moore-Lobban
Your journey to healing and wholeness after domestic violence begins here. Domestic violence is about power and control. As a Black woman and a survivor of domestic violence, you have had your power taken away from you against your will. You are not alone, and there are tools you can use to feel whole and in control of your life again. Written by two psychologists and experts in BIPOC mental health, this book will show you how to start healing-mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Grounded in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), this compassionate book addresses the unique struggles faced by Black women who have experienced domestic violence. You'll find practical and empowering skills to help you understand and heal from trauma, leave harmful situations, and regain a sense of safety and freedom. You'll also learn how to build a safety net, trust yourself-and others-again, and let go of the shame and guilt resulting from your experience. Finally, you'll discover ways to reclaim your self-worth, set boundaries in your relationships, and make room for self-care in your day-to-day life. If you're ready to leave-or have already left-an abusive situation, this book can help you heal from the trauma of domestic violence and discover personal freedom in mind, body, and spirit.
goodbye, sweet girl by Kelly Sundberg
In this brave and beautiful memoir...a woman chronicles how her marriage devolved from a love story into a shocking tale of abuse--examining the tenderness and violence entwined in the relationship, why she endured years of physical and emotional pain, and how she eventually broke free.
everything i never dreamed by Ruth M. Glenn
The raw, uplifting, and unforgettable memoir from the CEO and president of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence chronicling her personal battle against abuse, violence, and even a murder attempt. Ruth M. Glenn wasn't surprised the first time her husband beat her. She was hurt and disappointed but after a childhood in a broken and violent home, she was not surprised. After all, this was just the way things were, right? It was only after she lay bleeding in a carwash parking lot, after being shot three times by him, that Glenn resolved-if she managed to survive-to spend the rest of her life combating domestic violence. Now, she brings her full story to the forefront with this survivor's tale crossed with a rousing call to action. She reveals her difficult but ultimately rewarding journey from that parking lot to sacrificing everything to obtain her GED, followed by her JD. With her evocative and thoughtful voice, Glenn explores the reasons why men beat and kill women, why women and children are seen as lesser in our society, how to stop victim blaming, and how to demystify domestic violence to stop it once and for all. A memoir of resilience and courage, Everything I Never Dreamed is a necessary book that proves that abuse does not have to define a survivor's entire life.
smart, successful & abused by Angela Mailis
Understanding the complex psychology behind the problem of powerful, brilliant women who endure domestic abuse "If you are educated, intelligent and strong in other areas of your life, it's hard to imagine that you are a victim, but it happens. Dr. Mailis brings the intimacy and empathy of her own experiences together with her professional insights to empower women and jump-start a much-needed dialogue." - JANE FRANCISCO, editor-in-chief, Good Housekeeping In 2016, neuroscientist Angela Mailis, a world-renowned expert on chronic pain management, was brought face to face with domestic violence when an accomplished colleague was murdered by her equally accomplished husband. It was familiar territory for Dr. Mailis, who herself had been involved in an emotionally abusive relationship for twenty-seven years. She immediately redirected her research towards what is perhaps the most puzzling form of domestic violence: the abuse endured by high-achieving women who to all appearances have everything required to stand up for themselves.
no way out but one
Holly Collins came to the family court of Minnesota with the intention of bringing charges of domestic violence against her ex-husband. The courts granted full custody of her children to her and her children's abuser. In 1994, Holly Collins became an international fugitive when she ignored the court's ruling, grabbed her three children, and went on the run from her abusive ex-husband.
every 90 seconds by Anne P. DePrince
An urgent examination of how violence against women is inextricably linked to other issues that stoke our greatest passions. Every 90 seconds a woman is sexually assaulted. In that same minute and a half, another is a victim of domestic violence at the hands of a current or former intimate partner. Every sixteen hours, one of those intimate partners shoots and kills a woman. Nearly two in ten women are stalked, while one in sixteen is raped during her first sexual experience. Despite these jaw-dropping statistics, collectively we are well practiced at seeing such acts as someone else's problem. And yet, violence against women is tangled up with the most frequently discussed and debated issues of our time: health care and education access, immigration, gun policies, economic security, and criminal justice reform-issues that impact us all, nearly every day. In Every 90 Seconds, Anne P. DePrince argues that to end violence against women, we must fundamentally redefine how we engage with it-starting by abandoning the idea that violence is a problem involving only those who abuse or are abused.
we are not silent: healing after domestic violence by Alyssa Carter
We Are Not Silent: Healing After Domestic Violence is an empowering, faith-guided resource for survivors seeking to reclaim their voice and rebuild their lives. Written by Alyssa Carter, herself a survivor, this eBook offers a gentle but deeply honest roadmap for healing from trauma. Through personal reflections, affirmations, journal prompts, and Scripture, readers are encouraged to process pain, challenge self-blame, and rediscover their identity beyond survival.Each chapter is a safe haven-addressing silence, rebuilding self-worth, embracing self-love, navigating PTSD, and stepping boldly into a future filled with hope. Whether you're just beginning your journey or well along the path, this guide offers compassionate support and tools to nurture strength, clarity, and resilience.Perfect for survivors, support circles, counselors, and anyone seeking healing through faith, reflection, and courage.
family & friends' guide to domestic violence by Elaine Weiss
1. Getting involved -- 2. Understanding domestic abuse -- 3. Understanding psychological abuse -- 4. Understanding abusers -- 5. Talking and listening -- 6. Taking action -- 7. Special circumstances : pregnancy, disability, teen dating -- 8. Remaining involved -- Cited references -- About the author -- Checklist 1. Warning signs of domestic abuse -- Checklist 2. Abusers use a wide range of tactics to achieve control -- Checklist 3. What would it take for an abuser to change? -- Checklist 4. How dangerous is this abuser? -- Checklist 5. Planning for safety if she stays with her abuser -- Checklist 6. Planning for safety if he is removed from the home or she has left -- Checklist 7. Planning for safety during a violent incident -- Checklist 8. Healthy and unhealthy relationships -- Checklist 9. How teens can help their peers -- Checklist 10. An abuser uses a variety of tactics to regain control if his victim leaves.
a well-trained wife by Tia Levings
Recruited into the fundamentalist Quiverfull movement as a young wife, Tia Levings learned that being a good Christian meant following a list of additional life principles--a series of secret, special rules to obey. Being a godly and submissive wife in Christian Patriarchy included strict discipline, isolation, and an alternative lifestyle that appeared wholesome to outsiders. Women were to be silent, 'keepers of the home.' Tia knew that to their neighbors her family was strange, but she also couldn't risk exposing their secret lifestyle to police, doctors, teachers, or anyone outside of their church. Christians were called in scripture to be 'in the world, not of it.' So, she hid in plain sight as years of abuse and pain followed. When Tia realized she was the only one who could protect her children from becoming the next generation of patriarchal men and submissive women, she began to resist and question how they lived. But in the patriarchy, a woman with opinions is in danger, and eventually, Tia faced an urgent and extreme choice: stay and face dire consequences, or flee with her children. Told in a beautiful, honest, and sometimes harrowing voice, A Well-Trained Wife is an unforgettable and timely memoir about a woman's race to save herself and her family and details the ways that extreme views can manifest in a marriage.
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