When Love Leaves Scars: The Whispers of the Wounded Heart

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time to listen to the whispers of wounded hearts and shine light into the places where silence has lived too long. Behind quiet smiles and composed faces, many carry invisible scars, the kind that cannot be seen, yet ache just as deeply. This is the grief that lingers in the shadows, mourning the loss of safety, love, and trust.

Domestic violence does not only bruise the body; it breaks the spirit. It steals peace, belonging, and the sense of self. It leaves behind a grief that is layered and misunderstood, grief for the love that turned dangerous, the relationship that could not be saved, the self that was lost in survival, and sometimes, the children caught in between.

For many survivors, grief arrives long after the bruises fade. It shows up in the quiet moments when a familiar sound or scent stirs a memory. It’s felt in the hesitation to trust again, in the trembling between fear and freedom, and in the slow rediscovery of worth after years of being told otherwise.

As we bring awareness this month, may we also bring compassion. Leaving an abusive situation is not the end of the story; it is the beginning of grief, healing, and restoration. It is the sacred process of reclaiming one’s voice, rebuilding safety, and learning to breathe freely again. It is the soft but courageous whisper of a heart saying, I survived, but now I must learn to live.

If you or someone you love is walking this road:

• Know that you are not alone.

• Know that your grief is valid.

• Know that healing is possible.

And for those who wish to support, be gentle. Offer presence, not pressure. Listen more than you speak. Pray for safety, strength, and peace. Healing from domestic violence is not simply about leaving; it is about restoring the heart that fear once silenced.

This month, let us hold space for survivors, for their grief, their courage, and their healing. Awareness is not enough; empathy must follow. May we be the kind of people who help others feel safe again, seen again, and loved again.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text START to 88788.

With compassion and grace,

Dr. Tammy Isaac