Empowered Bridge walks alongside ALL survivors of domestic violence, women, men, and LGBTQ+ individuals, as well as justice-impacted individuals and their families. Everyone deserves to heal. Everyone belongs here.
Private, confidential sessions with a trained advocate or counselor.
Survivor-led circles where you can share, listen, and grow together.
Trauma-informed advocacy education and training programs with certificates of completion.
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to supporting survivors through trauma-informed education, workshops, and community outreach, breaking cycles of abuse, restoring hope, and building safer futures.
We interrupt and end patterns of domestic violence through education and community awareness.
Every survivor deserves to feel seen, supported, and empowered to envision a brighter future.
We strengthen individuals, families, and entire communities through lasting, trauma-informed change.
Whether you need private support or the strength of community, we have a space for you.
Private, confidential sessions with a trained advocate or counselor. We meet you where you are, whether in crisis, navigating the legal system, or needing someone who truly understands.
Survivor-led circles where you can share, listen, and grow alongside others who understand your journey. A safe space for healing, connection, and empowerment without judgment.
Specialized support for families navigating the impact of domestic violence, incarceration, and trauma, including co-parenting guidance and family wellness resources.
Helping justice-impacted individuals reintegrate with housing assistance, job readiness, and community connections, because everyone deserves a second chance.
Individual and group counseling centered on your safety and healing at every step.
Domestic violence education, advocacy training, and trauma-informed practices with certificates of completion.
Our curriculum provided at no cost to incarcerated loved ones, because healing should have no barriers.
Domestic violence affects men too. We provide a safe, judgment-free space for male survivors to access support and resources.
We welcome and affirm all members of the LGBTQ+ community with inclusive, respectful programs.
Financial literacy, resume building, and digital skills, building confidence and lasting independence.
Abusers often use pets as tools of control, threatening or harming animals to keep survivors trapped. You should never have to choose between your safety and your pet's safety.
of DV survivors report their abuser harmed their pet
stayed longer in an abusive home to protect their animal
Our advocates can help you find pet-friendly shelters and temporary fostering programs so no one gets left behind.
IPV can happen to anyone regardless of age, gender, or background. It includes physical, emotional, sexual, and financial abuse, and often starts subtly.
women experience severe intimate partner physical violence in their lifetime
men experience severe intimate partner physical violence in their lifetime
people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the U.S.
Monitoring your phone, location, or who you spend time with, framed as "caring" or "love."
Cutting you off from family and friends, making you dependent on them for support.
Belittling you in public or private, making you feel worthless or like everything is your fault.
Controlling access to money, preventing you from working, or demanding you account for every purchase.
Threatening to harm you, your children, pets, or themselves if you don't comply with demands.
Unpredictable mood swings that leave you walking on eggshells, afraid to say or do the wrong thing.
1 in 3 teens will experience physical, sexual, or emotional abuse from a dating partner. It's real, serious, and never the teen's fault.
teens experience abuse from a dating partner each year
of teens say they know someone who has been abused by a partner
of parents believe teen dating violence is not an issue
A partner who demands immediate responses or tracks a teen's location, often disguised as love or worry.
A teen who suddenly stops spending time with close friends or family, often at their partner's request.
A partner who dictates clothing or social media posts under the guise of jealousy or protection.
A teen who becomes anxious, withdrawn, or upset after calls or texts from their partner.
Being pressured to send photos or engage in sexual activity, this is abuse and may be illegal regardless of age.
Put-downs, name-calling, or public humiliation from a partner, especially online or in front of peers.
Strangulation is one of the most dangerous forms of domestic violence and one of the strongest warning signs that an abuser may later kill. Learning the correct terminology helps survivors, advocates, medical staff, and courts take it as seriously as it deserves.
A victim of prior strangulation is far more likely to later be killed by the same abuser
Strangulation can leave little or no visible injury, yet still be life-threatening
In California, non-fatal strangulation can be charged as a felony under Penal Code 273.5
Choking refers to a blockage inside the throat, like food. Strangulation is external pressure to the neck by hands, an arm, or a ligature. Using the accurate word in reports and testimony matters.
The correct term for surviving an assault where pressure was applied to the neck. It signals extreme danger even when the survivor recovers.
Even brief loss of consciousness signals that the brain was deprived of oxygen. This is a medical emergency and should always be documented.
Tiny red or purple spots in the eyes, face, or skin caused by burst blood vessels. A recognized medical sign of strangulation that advocates and clinicians look for.
Hoarseness, a raspy voice, difficulty swallowing, or a sore throat after an assault can indicate internal injury.
Trouble breathing, coughing, or pain when speaking should be evaluated by a medical professional right away.
Headaches, dizziness, memory loss, or vision changes can appear hours or days later and require medical attention.
Redness, scratches, or bruising on the neck, though sometimes there are no visible marks at all, which does not mean it was not serious.
In memory and honor of survivors. This section is dedicated to those whose lives were taken or forever changed by strangulation. Education saves lives, and knowing these words helps the people around a survivor respond with the urgency this danger demands.
This powerful 40-hour curriculum provides deep insight into domestic violence, victim impact, and the path toward healing, designed for incarcerated individuals, survivors, families, advocates, and facilitators.
Self-paced online training for advocates and facilitators who want to carry the mission forward.
Foundational training in DV awareness, victim support, and trauma-informed practices for community advocates and educators.
Enroll TodayComprehensive facilitator training for our 40-hour DV curriculum. Self-paced with full materials and ongoing support.
Teens complete advocacy curricula, 20 volunteer hours, and a reflection essay to become certified Youth Ambassadors. A parent or guardian must enroll the participant.
Enroll a Teen (Parent/Guardian) ➤Leaving is just the beginning. Many survivors face new and unexpected challenges after they get out, and most people don't talk about them. You are not alone in what comes next.
Feeling confused about why you miss someone who hurt you is not weakness, it's a trauma response. These bonds take time and support to understand and heal from.
Abuse doesn't always stop when you leave. Abusers often escalate through harassment, legal systems, finances, or your children. It's real, recognized, and not your fault.
Control can continue through monitoring, threats, stalking, or weaponizing shared children. Learning to recognize these patterns is part of staying safe.
Many survivors leave with damaged credit, debt in their name, or no financial history. Rebuilding takes time, but it's possible.
Abuse chips away at who you are. Rediscovering your values, voice, and sense of self is one of the most powerful parts of recovery. You are more than what you survived.
Sharing children with someone who was abusive is one of the hardest ongoing challenges. We provide guidance on parallel parenting and protecting your children's wellbeing.
Empowered Bridge provides peer support, education, and community advocacy. We are not licensed therapists or attorneys. The information here is educational, not legal or clinical advice.
Every contribution helps us provide free curriculum to incarcerated individuals, fund survivor support programs, and train the next generation of advocates.
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Donate NowEmpowered Bridge is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. EIN: 39-2452210. CA Charity Registration: CT0400624. Donations may be tax-deductible.
Whether you need immediate support, want to enroll in a program, or are ready to train as a facilitator, we're here for you.
P.O. Box 3591
Cerritos, CA 90703