BARBARA'S TCHATZKAHS

TRAUMA SURVIVORS PLEADING FOR THEIR 'EXODUS' Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. I have sworn, and have confirmed it, to observe Thy righteous ordinances. I am afflicted very much; quicken me, O HaShem, according unto Thy word. Accept, I beseech Thee, the freewill-offerings of my mouth, O HaShem, and teach me Thine ordinances. My soul is continually in my hand; yet have I not forgotten Thy law. The wicked have laid a snare for me; yet went I not astray from Thy precepts. Thy testimonies have I taken as a heritage for ever; for they are the rejoicing of my heart. I have inclined my heart to perform Thy statutes, for ever, at every step. Psalms 119: 105-112 In reading this week's news across the globe, I am always struck by the resiliency of trauma survivors. Victims of political hypocrisy, victims of Middle East terror and even crime victims here in New York. I am also sickened by the majority who turn the other way - think it's not goi...

Today is UN International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The status of women around the world still leaves much to be desired. Women and children account for over 80% of the casualties of war, as well as 80% of the 40 million people in world who are displaced from their homes as a result of violent conflict. Sexual violence as a tool of war has left hundreds of thousands of women raped, wounded, and infected with HIV/AIDS. Violence against women not only impacts the life of the woman, but can destroy her family and community. But there is hope. In honor of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women we would like to feature extraordinary Survivor Corps women who have risen above the trauma of violence and given back to others. Patricia is the Coordinator of the Burundian Women’s Lawyers Association, a Survivor Corps partner. Every day she meets with women who need her help, from litigation to putting food on the table. “In 1994, at the beginn...

"THERE ARE SOME THINGS IN LIFE WE JUST KNOW ARE TRUE" I love Mariska Hargitay on LAW & ORDER: SVU. She's a wonderful actress who's able to get across a lot of subtleties. As a former actress myself, its not easy to show inner conflict without looking like you are needlessly chewing the scenery. But Hargitay pulls it off. Beautifully. I also have a tremendous amount of respect for her using her celebrity to help end sexual violence and assist exploited women in their quest for healing. Her character on SVU, Olivia Benson, is a child of rape. A tough spot for any one to be in and a clue that her character's job may be a way of working out her inner demons about her origins. I understand this personally as a survivor. I know I will never ever again be able to trust my 'gut' or trust that I know a good person from a bad. When you are raised believing that abuse is o.k., its impossible to ever really know when you're being exploited. Even after...

FIGHT FOR JUSTICE Watch more videos like this at www.quantumshift.tv MORE HERE HOLLY'S BLOG The one who is extremely blessed? Is me... for having this courageous & understanding woman as my friend and my unconditional supporter. - Barbara

UNRESOLVED ABANDONMENT Unresolved abandonment - - the source of our insecurities, addictions, compulsions, and distress. Unresolved abandonment - - the insidious virus invading body mind and soul - - the culprit for the anxiety we are forever trying to self-medicate with food, alcohol, shopping, people and a host of other self defeating behaviors. Unresolved abandonment - - the roadblock to reaching our potential - - the invisible wound that drains self esteem from within - - the hidden trap that keeps us stuck in patterns of self-sabotage. Unresolved abandonment - - the chronic insecurity that becomes the scourge of human relationship. Unresolved abandonment - - the internal barrier to fully connecting to others. Fear short-circuits our attempts to find love - - we struggle to find and keep relationships. We become abandoholics. Unresolved abandonment - - the elusive grief so many seek therapy for and can't seem to overcome - - an undifferentiated emptiness often mis-diagnosed as ...

Holocaust survivors' children sue Germany for therapy fees When I read this article below - I was filled with mixed emotions. I sympathize that the children of Holocaust survivors suffer deep psychic scars and understand this lawsuit. On the other hand, I have to think about the many hearings I have sat in for moral support of abuse victims when they ask for child support in divorce or separation. The abusers will say yes and then disappear or never bother to pay for therapy for their own children - figuring "let the law find me" or "let her spend more money trying to force me to pay." Deadbeat parent organizations spend years chasing this stuff down. Sometimes, as in my own case, the other parent just plays games to be punitive. Another thing I thought of - is the compensatory claims made by African Americans for slavery here in the U.S. Perhaps this doesn't compare but it will be interesting to see how this shakes out. Is it a reasonable or unreasona...

PLEASE HELP! SURVIVOR FREE SPEECH DEPENDS ON YOU! RALLIES AROUND THE U.S. ARE PLANNED FOR TUESDAY, JULY 17, 2007 - please email: RallyAgainstRape@yahoo.com for more information about rallies in your area. CLICK HERE FOR MORE MEDIA ON THIS IMPORTANT ISSUE Participants to bring folded bandanas or scarves to cover their mouths and poster board with the words written that Tory Bowen was banned from saying (ie. Rape Kit, Sexual Assault, Rape, Date Rape Drugs, etc) Gather at YOUR county court hous e! IF YOU CAN'T ATTEND A RALLY - PLEASE BLOG ABOUT THIS CASE, SEND THIS POST TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW AND ASK THEM TO SIGN THE PETITION ( CLICK HERE FOR PETITION ) THE FACTS: The court of case of sexual assault survivor Tory Bowen has been a travesty of justice and it is coming to its second trial next month. The first trial resulted in a hung jury. Among the 12 jurors who deadlocked last year in the rape trial of Pamir Safi, Milt Foreman belonged to the minority who favored acquittal. Yet Foreman...