[Domestic violence is] a carefully laid physical, financial and psychological trap.

The question, 'Why does she stay?' is code for some people for, 'It's her fault for staying,' as if [domestic violence] victims intentionally choose to fall in love with men intent upon destroying us.

It's incredibly dangerous to leave an abuser, because the final step in the domestic violence pattern is: kill her.

Family violence is a criminal act; perpetrators, while often former victims themselves, need to accept culpability.

I did not know that the first step in any domestic violence relationship is to seduce and charm the victim. I also did not know that the second step is to isolate the victim. The next step in the domestic violence pattern is to introduce the threat of violence and see how she reacts. We victims know something you [non-victims] usually don't. It's incredibly dangerous to leave an abuser, because the final step in the domestic violence pattern is to 'kill her'. Over 70% of domestic violence murders happens after the victim has ended the relationship.

We should hold abusers — and no one else — responsible for the damage they inflict.

What every new parent needs.a ton of expert advice, presented with humor and zero negativity, from two moms who instantly feel like your best friends. This is the one pregnancy guide that new parents will actually want to read.