WarAID is dedicated to empowering women and children on prevention of violence and exploitation. Together, we can create a safer and more equitable society.
25/02/2025
What power do abusers hold? It’s more than control—it’s a psychological prison that chains survivors long after the abuse has ended.
She was violated from a young age by the man who should have protected her. Now, she battles addiction, carries the weight of HIV, and struggles to reclaim her life. Yet, she still calls him father. That’s the cruel hold of trauma bonding—when manipulation is mistaken for love, and a survivor remains emotionally tied to their abuser.
But she is not beyond hope. She can heal.
What Does She Need to Do?
- Acknowledge the abuse for what it was—not love, not care, but a violation of trust.
- Seek trauma-informed therapy to break the emotional and psychological chains.
- Find a supportive community that affirms her worth and helps her rebuild.
- Take intentional steps toward independence, replacing survival mode with healing.
How Can We Help?
- Believe survivors—listen without judgment and affirm their reality.
- Advocate for safe spaces and trauma-informed care to support reintegration.
- Demand justice so abusers are held accountable, not left to roam free.
- Educate others on the effects of trauma bonding so survivors can break free sooner.
I see this every day, sitting with survivors of sexual abuse, and I am pained. How long will we let this continue? We must break her free. We must fight for reintegration, healing, and justice.
That is why at , we are launching Zero Violence Advocacy School this April. Survivors deserve more than survival—they deserve a future. Join us in breaking the chains.
