Lincoln County Victim/Witness Program

The advocate is transitioning to a new phone. With that said, if you need assistance, please reach out to our landline or [email protected]
Thanks

If you’re exhausted in a way that sleep doesn’t touch, this isn’t burnout.

It’s what survival looks like.

Protective parents aren’t just tired from doing too much. They’re carrying the constant weight of their child’s safety, a system that keeps failing them, and the ongoing impact of coercive control. They’re staying regulated while being retraumatized. Showing up while being judged. Holding everything together with very little support.

This kind of exhaustion means your nervous system has been doing exactly what it had to do for far too long.

In this blog, I write about why protective parent exhaustion is different, what’s actually happening in your body, and why you don’t need more discipline or positivity, you need understanding, space, and support.

Read the full post here: https://www.coercivecontrolconsulting.com/this-isnt-burnout-its-what-survival-looks-like/ or at the link in my bio. Click on the NEW ON THE BLOG tab.

It's time to dust off those bikes after a long winter and get rolling! But don't just kick up and go — make sure your bike is still up to s***f. 🚲⤵️

Act

Despite their tireless efforts, domestic violence advocates and programs simply do not have enough resources. Programs urgently need more resources at the federal, tribal, state, territorial, and local levels to provide the services that survivors depend on.

It’s outrageous that any program would ever have to turn away someone in need because they don’t have enough funds. And yet — it happens every single day at domestic violence programs, in every community across our country.

NNEDV's 20th Annual Report is now available. 🧡 Check it out: https://buff.ly/Mv6jlsb

[Image description: Over a teal background, white text reads: “Despite their tireless efforts, domestic violence advocates and programs simply do not have enough resources.” The NNEDV logo and NNEDV.org/DVCounts are below the text. The NNEDV logo consists of 66 small house shapes arranged in a large house shape, and text reading: "NNEDV National Network to End Domestic Violence."]

🎉 Save the Date!

Spring Up Libby’s Springo Bingo is coming back!

📅 Friday, May 1, 2026
🕠 5:30 PM (Doors open at 5:00 PM)
📍 Memorial Center

✨ First Card FREE
✨ Fun prizes
✨ Popcorn + family-friendly fun

Bring your friends, bring your family - this is a night you won’t want to miss 💛 Together... let's support youth, families, and connection in our community.

Ma*****na use during the teen years can damage the brain in long-lasting and even permanent ways like memory problems and lower IQ scores in adulthood. Find out how parents can guide their children to safe and healthy choices at ParentingMontana.org.

If someone says they love you—but you feel smaller every day—pay attention.

Emotional abuse isn’t just “a bad argument.” It’s a pattern of control using shaming, constant criticism, blame, manipulation, and gaslighting to make you doubt yourself and rely on them.

It often starts subtly: jealousy framed as “caring,” checking your phone “for reassurance,” or pressuring you to spend less time with friends. Over time, it can grow into isolation, threats, and coercive control—and in some cases, it can escalate into physical violence.

Help and healing are possible 💜 Building a safety plan and connecting with supportive advocates can make leaving safer and help you rebuild your confidence and independence.

What’s one sign you wish more people understood about emotional abuse? 👇

🔗 https://zpr.io/7c8p6jxXngJE

Are you a gamer 🎮?

Take steps to protect your hearing health while gaming:

💻 Choose devices & games with safe listening features
🎧 Use noise-canceling headphones
⏳ Set screen time limits or use parental controls to manage sessions
🔇 Create a quiet gaming space to reduce background noise
📢 Advocate for game developers to include safe listening features

Let’s change mindsets and empower ourselves to make ear and hearing care a priority.

Many domestic violence survivors have no choice but to represent themselves "pro se" (without a lawyer) — especially if financial abuse prevents them from affording a lawyer's rates.

WomensLaw has resources and guidance if you're facing the court system alone. Help is available. Keep reading: https://buff.ly/tKYEEVC

[Image description: Text reads: "What does it mean to be a pro se litigant? A pro se litigant (or self-represented litigant) is someone who doesn’t have a lawyer to represent them in a court case. Many domestic violence survivors represent themselves in court, especially if financial abuse prevents them from affording a lawyer. WomensLaw has resources for pro se litigants. You aren’t alone. Help and support are available. Visit WomensLaw.org to learn more and speak with our team on the free WomensLaw Email Hotline." The WomensLaw and NNEDV logos are at the bottom, reading: "WomensLaw.org a project of NNEDV National Network to End Domestic Violence."]