Ashley Bendiksen explains the differences between toxicity and abuse to help those in tough relationships understand the signs of abuse and begin to heal.

Many of us use the term 'toxic relationship,' when more often, it's domestic violence.

There’s so much misunderstanding around this topic. Abuse impacts all people and causes hidden pain and harm.

Ashley Bendiksen had no idea she was a victim of domestic violence. She saw that her relationship had 'issues' - anger problems, money stress, my partner's trauma - and was managing it. She didn't see it as abuse because her partner never hit her.

Then one day, Bendiksen heard a guest speaker in college, and there it was: her life on a PowerPoint slide. Everything she'd been going through, one little term explained ALL of it: domestic violence.

Today, Bendiksen is that speaker, making awareness her life’s work.

Bendiksen's story isn't unique. In fact, it happens to many. In the U.S., 1 in 3 teens, 1 in 4 women, and 1 in 9 men will experience domestic violence in their lifetime. Additionally, up to 15.5 million children are exposed to domestic violence annually.

Anyone can find themselves in an abusive relationship. Domestic violence impacts persons of all ages, gender identities, races, religions, beliefs, and socio-economic backgrounds, as well as the LGBTQIA+ community.