Episode 10 - A Conversation About Domestic Violence

Sometimes success is getting out of an abusive relationship and reclaiming your identity. In this episode, I interview Lovern Gordon, President and Founder of Love Life Now Foundation (www.lovelifenow.org). Lovern is passionate about giving victims of domestic violence the information they need to become survivors. In this frank, honest interview Lovern describes how her first experience with domestic violence started in her home island of Trinidad

During her childhood she and her siblings were exposed to brutal domestic violence of their father on their mother that was culturally accepted in her community. After achieving permanent residency in the United States, Lovern began to live a good life of attending college and working in corporate America. Unfortunately, the good life she was building turned dark when she met her abuser and started a two year abusive relationship. Like many victims of domestic violence Lovern's story started as a fairy tale romance but as you will hear there were warning signs along the way.

This is part one of a two part episode where we lay the ground work for how abuse can start, answer the age old question of "why did she stay" and finishes with the birth of Love Life Now Foundation. In part two, we will explore the different types of abuse and the warning signs.

National Domestic Violence Resources:

Love Life Now Foundation - 888-LLN-9876; www.lovelifenow.org
The National Domestic Violence Hotline - 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE); www.ndvh.org
National Dating Abuse Helpline - 1-866-331-9474; www.loveisrespect.org
Women of Color Network - 1-800-537-2238; www.wocninc.org
Casa de Esperanza - 1-651-772-1611; www.casadeesperanza.org
The National Immigrant Women's Advocacy Project - 202-274-4457; http://www.niwap.org
A Call to Men - 917-922-6738; www.acalltomen.org
Northwest Network of Bisexual, Trans, Lesbian & Gay Survivors of Abuse - 206-568-7777

Massachusetts Domestic Violence Resources