What My Job Has Taught Me About Abuse
Written by Emily Arismendy
Dear reader,
What if the words we choose could help someone feel seen, believed, and safe? What if marketing wasn’t just a job, but a way to make healing more accessible?
Marketing and Advocacy
My name is Emily, and I am a Marketing and Communication Coordinator here at SAFE. My job is to raise awareness about our mission and impact. At an anti-violence nonprofit, effective marketing not only supports healing by guiding survivors to services but also plays a key role in educating the community and preventing abuse before it starts.
I’ve always loved helping and caring for others. I care deeply about a lot of issues and consider myself an advocate at heart. Combining my love for media and advocacy made this role feel like the perfect fit. As a young woman, the fear of violence has always been present in my life, but working here has expanded my perspective beyond just my own experiences.
The reality is, violence is deeply woven into our society, and it continues to harm people every single day. I’ve known this for a long time, however what I didn’t know is how intricate and complex abuse really is.
A Deeper Understanding
My understanding of violence and abuse has grown through heartfelt survivor stories, informative trainings, and collaboration with our programs—deepening my ability to connect people to the help they need. Here are a few key takeaways:
We’re not here to save survivors—we’re here to walk with them.
One of the most meaningful lessons I’ve learned is that our role isn’t to rescue or “fix” survivors—it’s to stand beside them with empathy and respect. Healing isn’t something we do for someone; it’s something we support as they reclaim their own power and voice. Walking with someone through their healing journey means listening, believing, and honoring their choices every step of the way.
Trauma-Informed Care is necessary.
We often assume that once someone leaves an abusive situation, they’re safe—but the systems meant to help them can sometimes do more harm. From law enforcement to healthcare to housing, survivors are too often met with disbelief, blame, or barriers. That’s why trauma-informed care is so important. It centers safety, empathy, and respect, helping people feel seen and supported instead of judged or dismissed.
Language matters.
Working in communications has taught me how powerful language really is. The way we talk about abuse and the words we choose can shape how people understand it—or misunderstand it. Telling survivor stories with care, compassion, and consent isn’t just storytelling—it’s advocacy. It helps shift the narrative, reduce stigma, and make space for truth.
Violence is a cycle, but it can be broken.
Violence often repeats itself across generations and relationships, but that doesn’t mean it’s inevitable. I’ve seen through this work that healing is possible, and change can happen. With the right support, education, and community, cycles of violence can be interrupted and replaced with something better—safety and connection.
Why it matters
This deeper understanding has transformed my advocacy. There’s both a responsibility and a privilege in helping shape the narrative around abuse—and I don’t take that lightly. I now approach survivor-centered storytelling with more empathy, caution, and care. I’m still learning and unlearning every day, and I believe that growth is a lifelong process.
Avoiding uncomfortable conversations around violence and abuse only allows the harm to continue. If we want to prevent it, we have to talk about it—honestly and compassionately. This work doesn’t just belong to those who serve survivors directly. We all have a part to play in ending violence and that begins with listening, reflecting, and choosing to show up better.
Sincerely, your collaborator in change,
Emily
