It is only through Pain that we discover What we truly are made of   Through the scars, blood, and tears We find our inner truth   We realize we fall from loves good graces Only to walk Through the burning sands of time   We as Victims, No...We as SURVIVORS Pray for the pain to be taken from Our shattered souls And heard on deaf ears   We must RISE to our Feet And realize that we are Unique We are Powerful And we must come to the conclusion That pain can only make us STRONGER   So I say, Wipe those tears From your eyes And Embrace what has gotten you Here, The Pain of Love, and the Fear ...

Today as I logged in to this website I became sadden. Sad to see all the murders that went on during the Holidays. The time when the family should be jolly and spending time together. Now there are families mourning and will forever mourn.    The choices people make now a days are just unreal. Yes, I understand that Domestic Violence is a "Learning Behavior" A Cycle People Say! But WE have Choices. Choices to be different, BETTER. People have a choice to be like their abusive Father, Grandfather, Stepfather, Uncle...Etc. But wouldnt you want to be BETTER than them. I mean YOU have a choice to be the Bigger Person and know how to respect the women around you. Would you hate it if a Man would lay his hands on your Daughter, Mother, Sister, Grandmother, Aunt etc...?   I say this  because My little Brother (who is 21 years old now) & myself grew up in an abusive home. My father would hit my mother, my brother, & me. My brother always said and PROMISED he will NEVER be like my father. I am a proud sister. He has kept his promise.  Yes, All Relationships are complicated, but that...

  This is my first blog.   My name is Johanna Orozco & I am a survivor of Teen Dating Violence. Though my story has been shown nationally, I am not going to be writing about my story as my first blog. Will just be writing thoughts that run through my head time to time.   I am 23 years old. I work for an amazing organiztion (Domestic Violence & Child Advocacy Center in Cleveland, OH). I am a Teen Educator. I go to schools here in Ohio & I share my Story with Young Women & Young Men. I also, teach them about Healthy/Unhealthy Relationships. Now, what really gets to me...is when I give the Teens a chance to talk in the end...They have a lot say. I was NEVER alone.   I have students everytime come up to me sharing their own experiences with me...what their friend or parents are going through. I am amazed on how much these young kids know. Going all the way to 7th graders.   As much as it hurts me to repeat my story over and over I CANT just stop! There are so many teens/adults that could benifit from hearing it.  ...