Blog

June 20 2024

Ruth Darlene of WomenSV on the Role of Education in Covert Abuse and Domestic Violence Prevention

Ruth Darlene of WomenSV believes that education is crucial in the fight against covert abuse and domestic violence.

May 17 2024

Nonprofit WomenSV Raises Awareness Around Coercive Control and Covert Abuse

Los Altos-based nonprofit WomenSV is raising awareness about coercive control and covert abuse with specialized training and educational resources.

JUly 25 2023

Red Flags in a Relationship

Building and maintaining a healthy and loving relationship is a wonderful experience, but it requires effort, understanding, and open communication from both partners. While relationships can bring joy and fulfillment, there are certain warning signs, often referred to as "red flags," that should not be ignored. These red flags can be indicative of deeper issues and may signal that the relationship is not as healthy as it should be. Recognizing these warning signs early on can save both individuals from unnecessary pain and heartache. In this article, we will explore some common red flags in a relationship that everyone should be aware of.

JUly 17 2023

Recognizing the Signs of a Controlling Person

In every relationship, there's a delicate balance of power and influence. However, when one person seeks to dominate and control the other, it can lead to an unhealthy and potentially abusive dynamic. "Over time, it can make you feel like your every move is being watched," explains Ruth Darlene who founded WomenSV, a nonprofit specializing in covert abuse and coercive control. "Whether your partner is male or female, that power and control dynamic remains the same - that desire to take your power away from you."

JUly 11 2023

3 Mental and Emotional Effects Abuse Has on Victims

Abuse, in any form, leaves deep and lasting scars on its victims. Beyond the physical pain, abuse inflicts profound mental and emotional wounds that can persist long after the abuse has ended. These effects often remain hidden, making it crucial to shed light on the mental and emotional toll that abuse takes on its victims. In this article, we will explore three significant mental and emotional effects that abuse can have on survivors, highlighting the importance of providing support and understanding to those affected.

JUly 6 2023

Recognizing Gaslighting in Relationships

"Gaslighting is a tactic used by manipulative con artists and covert abusers to cause their victims to doubt their perception of reality, their memory and, over time, their sanity," explains Ruth Patrick Darlene, founder of Los Altos based nonprofit WomenSV. Gaslighting is a manipulative psychological tactic that can occur in various relationships, such as romantic partnerships, friendships, family dynamics, or even in professional settings. It involves one individual systematically undermining another person's perception of reality, causing them to doubt their own thoughts, emotions, and experiences. In this article, we will explore some common examples of gaslighting within relationships, shedding light on these toxic behaviors and providing a foundation for recognizing and addressing them.

JUNE 27 2023

What Is Covert Coercive Control? Unveiling the Silent Manipulation

In relationships, power dynamics can take various forms, and one particularly insidious manifestation is covert coercive control. While physical abuse and overt manipulation are more easily recognizable, covert coercive control operates in a more subtle and clandestine manner, leaving victims trapped in a web of emotional, psychological, and sometimes even financial manipulation. This article aims to shed light on this often overlooked form of abuse, explaining its characteristics, signs, and potential impact on victims.