80 Domestic Violence Quotes to Empower Its Victims

Domestic abuse is a global scourge that affects millions of people every year. The stigma associated with abuse often leaves survivors suffering in silence. In solidarity, we've curated an extensive list of quotes to remind all domestic violence survivors of their strength.

Every year, organizations such as the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality (UN Women) and the Empowerment of Women release data on the horrendous effects of domestic violence. The UN Women stated that rates of domestic violence worsened during the pandemic.

One of the most empowering feelings is knowing that you're not suffering alone. Many people all over the world work towards empowering and providing safety for survivors of domestic violence. If you or anyone you know are experiencing this terrible pain, here are some quotes to help you feel empowered and less alone.

Lundy Bancroft’s quote: "Abuse grows from attitudes and values, not feelings. The roots are ownership, the trunk is entitlement, and the branches are control. " | Image: AmoDays

QUOTES ABOUT SURVIVING AND HEALING FROM DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

"Deep in your wounds are seeds, waiting to grow beautiful flowers." ― Niti Majethia

"Healing trauma involves tears. The tears release our pain. The tears are part of our recovery. My friend, please let your tears flow."― Dana Arcuri, "Soul Cry: Releasing & Healing the Wounds of Trauma"

"I know it hurts. I know you feel like you weren't good enough. But your breakthrough is coming. Don't give up on yourself now. You came too far. Your value is still high, and you’re still beautiful. You don't need anyone to claim you to feel whole. Let it hurt and grow from it." ― Keishorne Scott

“Trauma may happen to you, but it can never define you.” — Melinda Longtin

"You are not the darkness you endured. You are the light that refused to surrender.” — John Mark Green

Dele Olanubi’s quote: “Wounds won’t heal the way you want them to, they heal the way they need to.” | Image: AmoDays

“Abuse grows from attitudes and values, not feelings. The roots are ownership, the trunk is entitlement, and the branches are control.” ― Lundy Bancroft

"Please don't drown into his fears, his concrete fists don´t let him again break the bridge of your nose with his cruel born hits. Then disappear into that mask of misery." ― Anthony Liccione

“There is no timestamp on trauma. There isn’t a formula that you can insert yourself into to get from horror to healed. Be patient. Take up space. Let your journey be the balm.” ― Dawn Serra

“Trauma is personal. It does not disappear if it is not validated. When it is ignored or invalidated the silent screams continue internally heard only by the one held captive. When someone enters the pain and hears the screams, healing can begin.” ― Danielle Bernock

“Healing from trauma can also mean strength and joy. The goal of healing is not a papering-over of changes in an effort to preserve or present things as normal. It is to acknowledge and wear your new life – warts, wisdom, and all – with courage.” ― Catherine Woodiwiss

Rune Lazuli’s quote: “Be the love you never received.” | Image: AmoDays

"Wounds won't heal the way you want them to, they heal the way they need to." ― Dele Olanubi

“Instead of saying ‘I’m damaged, I’m broken, I have trust issues.' I say, 'I’m healing, I’m rediscovering myself, I’m starting over.'” ― Horacio Jones

“I won’t let pain turn my heart into something ugly. I will show you that surviving can be beautiful.” ― Christy Ann Martine

“Daring to set boundaries is about having the courage to love ourselves even when we risk disappointing others.” — Brené Brown

"Plant hope in your heart’s wounds.” — Alexandra V

Assunta Harris’ quote: "Overcoming abuse doesn’t just happen, it takes positive steps every day. Let today be the day you start to move forward.” | Image: AmoDays

"Be the love you never received." — Rune Lazuli

“Flowers grow back even after the harshest winters. You will, too.” — Jennae Cecelia

“In stressful times, it’s okay to not be perfect. Cut yourself some slack. Because right now, you might not be your best self, but you are growing and you are trying your best. And that is good enough.” —Ashley Hetherington

“Love yourself enough to set boundaries. Your time and energy are precious. You get to choose how you use it. You teach people how to treat you by deciding what you will and won’t accept.” — Anna Taylor

"You do not just wake up and become the butterfly—growth is a process.” — Rupi Kaur

Venus Wiliams’ quote: “You have to believe in yourself when no one else does – that makes you a winner right here.” | Image: AmoDays

"Overcoming abuse doesn't just happen, it takes positive steps every day. Let today be the day you start to move forward." — Assunta Harris

“I am not what happened to me, I am what I choose to become.” — Carl Jung

“Use the darkness of your past to propel you to a brighter future.” — Donata Joseph

“Trauma creates change you don’t choose. Healing is about creating the change you do choose.” — Michelle Rosenthall​

“The best revenge is creating your own happiness despite a person’s wish to take you down.” — Melinda Longtin

Cody Kennedy’ quote:“Don’t judge yourself by what others did to you.” | Image: AmoDays

"You have to believe in yourself when no one else does - that makes you a winner right there." — Venus Williams

“Survivors of abuse show us the strength of their personal spirit every time they smile.” — Jeanne McElvaney

"There are two powers in the world; one is the sword and the other is the pen. There is a third power stronger than both, that of women.” — Malala Yousafzai​

“Strength doesn’t come from what you can do. It comes from overcoming the things you once thought you couldn’t.” — Rikki Rogers

“And here you are living despite it all.” — Rupi Kaur

Rae Smith’s quote: “The enemy doesn’t stand a chance when the victim decides to survive.” | Image: AmoDays

"Don't judge yourself by what others did to you." — Cody Kennedy​

“At any given moment you have the power to say this is not how the story is going to end.” ― Christine Mason Miller

“The true test of a warrior is how your 'stance' holds up after any 'circumstance'. Meaning, even after the stormiest weather, a true warrior will still reflect the brilliant rays of the magnificent sun through both his or her eyes.” ― Suzy Kassem

“When it comes to abuse, you believe there’s no way out. There is always help. There is always a way out.” ― Rev. Donna Mulvey

“I realize now I am a survivor. I am a stronger woman for opening my eyes and stepping away from someone who didn’t respect themselves and would never respect me.” ― Lori

Jordan Pickell‘s quote: “Be gentle with your past selves for doing what they had to do to get through it.” | Image: AmoDays

“Someone once asked me how I hold my head up so high after all I have been through. I said it’s because no matter what, I am a survivor, not a victim.” — Patricia Buckley

"The enemy doesn't stand a chance when the victim decides to survive." — Rae Smith

“Scar tissue is stronger than regular tissue. Realize the strength.” — Henry Rollins

“One day, I plan to love so loudly, my body abandons every demon harvesting me.” — Arati Warrier

"There is life after abuse. This is mine.” ― Lindsay Fischer

Rachel Naomi Remen’s quote: “Our wounds are our sources of growth.” | Image: AmoDays

"Be gentle with your past selves for doing what they had to do to get through it." — Jordan Pickell

“You survived the abuse. You’re gonna survive the recovery.” — Olivia Benson

"There is a fine balance between honoring the past and losing yourself in it. For example, you can acknowledge and learn from mistakes you made, and then move on and refocus on the now. It is called forgiving yourself.” — Eckhart Tolle

“Your growth comes not as you work harder to get something you don’t have, but as you live in the reality of what you have already been given.” — Nancy Guthrie

“Anyone can hide. Facing up to things, working through them, that's what makes you strong.” — ​Hannah Gadsby

Sarah Dessen’s quote: “Anyone can hide. Facing up to things, working through them, that’s what makes you strong.” | Image: AmoDays

“Strength doesn’t come from what you can do. It comes from overcoming the things you once thought you couldn’t” — Rikki Rogers

"Our wounds are our sources of growth." — Rachel Naomi Remen

QUOTES ABOUT THE POWER OF ONE’S STORY

"I now see how owning our story and loving ourselves through that process, is the bravest thing that we will ever do." ― Brené Brown

“To survive trauma one must be able to tell a story about it.” ― Natasha Trethewey

“From every wound, there is a scar, and every scar tells a story. A story that says, I survived.” — Fr. Craig Scott

Brené Brown’s quote: “I now see how owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing that we will ever do.” | Image: AmoDays

“You can recognize survivors of abuse by their courage. When silence is so very inviting, they step forward and share their truth so others know they aren’t alone.” — Jeanne McElvaney

“If you want to know where to find your contribution to the world, look at your wounds. When you learn how to heal them, teach others.” — Emily Maroutian

“You’re not a victim for sharing your story. You are a survivor setting the world on fire with your truth. And you never know who needs your light, your warmth and raging courage” — Alex Elle

QUOTES ABOUT SOCIETY AND DOMESTIC ABUSE

"The more we choose not to talk about domestic violence, the more we shy away from the issue, the more we lose." ― Russel Wilson

"The biggest abuses in society happen when people are not able to communicate and not able to connect". — Heather Brooke

Russell Wilson ‘s quote: “The more that we choose not to talk about domestic violence, the more we shy away from the issue, the more we lose.” | Image: AmoDays

“If we are to fight discrimination and injustice against women we must start from the home for if a woman cannot be safe in her own house then she cannot be expected to feel safe anywhere.”― Aysha Taryam

“Culture is no excuse for abuse.” ― Davinder Kaur

“There are far too many silent sufferers. Not because they don’t yearn to reach out, but because they’ve tried and found no one who cares.” ― Richelle E. Goodrich

“The best protection against... domestic violence is to raise men who both understand that women are different, and would never dare take advantage of this difference.” — Wendy Shalit

“There are far too many silent sufferers. Not because they don’t yearn to reach out, but because they’ve tried and found no one who cares.” — Richelle E. Goodrich

Nelsan Ellis’ quote “Domestic violence is an epidemic, and yet we don’t address it. Until it happens to celebrities.” | Image: AmoDays

“What if, instead of viewing people who’ve been abused as weak, we began to celebrate the strength it takes to persevere while overcoming the harm that was placed on them by someone who was supposed to love and care for them?” ― Christine E. Murray

"Domestic violence can be so easy for people to ignore, as it often happens without any witnesses and it is sometimes easier not to get involved. Yet, by publicly speaking out against domestic violence, together we can challenge attitudes towards violence in the home and show that domestic violence is a crime and not merely unacceptable." ― Honor Blackman

"Nobody believes that domestic violence kills and nobody believes it is detrimental to children. This world has got to wake up. To me, if there is domestic violence, if the children see it or hear it, that to me is detrimental. Batterers should not have rights to children." — Denise Brown

"Domestic violence can occur at any socioeconomic level." — Asa Don Brown

“It’s not enough for women to speak out on the issue – for the message to be strong and consistent, women’s voices must be backed up by men’s.” — John Conyers

Asa Don Brown‘s quote: “Domestic violence can occur at any socioeconomic level.” | Image: AmoDays

“It doesn’t matter how rich or poor a person is, what gender or social class, or how much fame or education she possesses. Verbal, mental, and physical abuse can happen to anyone. It doesn’t matter what a woman’s ethnicity is because the only distinguishing color of abuse is black-and-blue.” ― La Toya Jackson

"Domestic violence occurs because of social power structures where the roles of men and women are predefined, and domestic violence is how that power is played out." ― Inhe Choi

"Domestic violence is an epidemic and yet we don't address it. Until it happens to celebrities." ― Nelsan Ellis

QUOTES ABOUT RECOGNIZING ABUSE

"Gaslighters know that people like having a sense of stability and normalcy. Their goal is to uproot this and make you constantly question everything." ― Stephanie A. Sarkis

Davinder Kaur’s quote:“Culture is no excuse for abuse.” | Image: Amodays

“Domestic abuse happens only in intimate, interdependent, long-term relationships – in other words, in families – the last place we would want or expect to find violence.” – Leslie Morgan Steiner

"Intimidation, even if it appears unintentional, is a sign that emotional abuse is on the way — or has already begun — and is a warning flag that physical violence may eventually follow.” – Lundy Bancroft

“As in all abusive relationships, the abused mistakenly assumes the kindest version of the abuser is the real one.” – Chris Holmf

QUOTES ABOUT WHAT HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS LOOK LIKE

"Every good relationship, especially marriage, is based on respect. If it's not based on respect, nothing that appears to be good will last very long." — Amy Grant

"A healthy relationship will never require you to sacrifice your friends, your dream, or your dignity.” — Mandy Hale

Steve Maraboli’s quote: A healthy relationship is one in which love enriches you; not imprisons you.” | Image: Amodays

A healthy relationship is one in which love enriches you; not imprisons you.” — Steve Maraboli

“A healthy relationship is a feast of affection/giving for both people; not one receiving crumbs and trying to convince themselves it’s enough.” — Shannon Thomas

“Love in such a way that the person you love feels free.” — Thich Nhat Hanh

"The first duty of love is to listen." — Paul Tillich

Amy Grant’s quote: “Every good relationship, especially marriage, is based on respect. If it’s not based on respect, nothing that appears to be good will last very long.” | Image: AmoDays

If you know someone going through domestic abuse, reaching out can make a world of difference. This is because the world for many domestic abuse victims can be lonely, isolated, and filled with fear. Sometimes reaching out and letting them know that you are there for them can provide tremendous relief.

If you are experiencing domestic violence, remember that you’re not alone and it is never your fault. Try to reach out to local organizations that assist survivors of domestic violence.

If these quotes gave you strength, read this compilation of quotes from legendary women to empower you further.