It doesn’t matter if you're rich or poor, gay or straight, fat or thin—the truth is the horror of domestic violence is pervasive across all communities. We hear some terrifying statistics in today’s episode about the frequency and prevalence of these perverse and sadistic behaviors, which occur more often than you might think in intimate relationships. To explain exactly what domestic violence and intimate partner violence are, we’ve invited top therapist and crisis counselor Vivian Engle, MA, MFT to join us today from Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles Hope Counseling. Jewish Family Service of LA is one of many organizations dedicated to empowering and sheltering survivors and victims of domestic violence and their children. Accompanying her to the studio is one survivor who shares her shocking story of living through hell on earth in an abusive marriage. She reveals the arduous road she had to take to get out of her marriage, and tells us how she’s managing to co-parent with her abuser. In addition to Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles, we also list and provide contact information for a variety of other organizations in states across the country that are dedicated to serving and protecting victims and survivors of domestic violence. These include the LGBT Centers in Los Angeles and other cities across the country which provide services for survivors who do not identify as heterosexual. Abuse is abuse in any relationship. Abusive partners in #LGBTQ relationships use all the same tactics to gain power and control—physical, sexual or emotional abuse, financial control, isolation and more. For more information and for a national directory of domestic violence support services, please visit The National Domestic Violence Hotline online @ www.thehotline.org or call 1.800.799.7233The All’s Fair with Laura Wasser podcast (hereinafter referred to as the “All’s Fair”) represents the opinions of Laura Wasser and her guests to the show. All’s Fair should not be considered professional or legal advice. The content here is for informational purposes only. Views and opinions expressed on All’s Fair are our own and do not represent that of our places of work.All’s Fair should not be used in any legal capacity whatsoever.  Listeners should contact their attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular legal matter. No listener should act or refrain from acting on the basis of information on All’s Fair without first seeking legal advice from counsel in the relevant jurisdiction. No guarantee is given regarding the accuracy of any statements or opinions made on All’s Fair. In no way does listening, reading, emailing or interacting on social media with our content establish an attorney-client relationship with Laura Wasser, or any of her guests. Unless specifically stated otherwise, Laura Wasser does not endorse, approve, recommend, or certify any information, product, process, service, or organization presented or mentioned on All’s Fair, and information from this podcast should not be referenced in any way to imply such approval or endorsement. The third party materials or content of any third party site referenced on All’s Fair do not necessarily reflect the opinions, standards or policies of Laura Wasser. ALL’S FAIR AND LAURA WASSER EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ANY AND ALL LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR OTHER DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF ANY INDIVIDUAL'S USE OF, REFERENCE TO, RELIANCE ON, OR INABILITY TO USE, THIS PODCAST OR THE INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS PODCAST. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.