WHY WE DO IT

We at SHEARED recognize that abuse and unhealed trauma are the root causes behind so many instances of mental illness, addiction, dysfunction, crime, physical illness, homelessness, joblessness and suicide. (See Statistics and Recommended Reading.) As abuse is startlingly prevalent, so are the issues it brings, which happen to be some of the largest that society faces. We believe that by connecting victims and survivors with the resources that they need to truly heal and break destructive cycles, educating the public and professionals on trauma and encouraging informed discourse on these widely misunderstood topics, we will greatly reduce the rate of several of the largest problems in our society. We will also decrease victim blaming, isolation, shame and stigma, making survivors and their loved ones feel less alone and restoring their hope of a healthy, happy and fulfilling life, making a real impact on the individual as well as society. Unless we address these issues head on, destructive cycles will continue, across generations and in every race, religion, socioeconomic background and part of the world. By providing resources, education and discourse, along with the respect, compassion and very real examples of true healing necessary to deal with the root causes of these issues we believe that we can help individuals, families, communities and our world become a safer, healthier place. The lives we have touched and the stories that we hear (see Testimonials) assure us that what we are doing is of utmost importance and limitless value.