When we talk about domestic violence, we often talk about leaving. We talk about safety, survival, resilience, and rebuilding. But there is a part of the journey that is rarely discussed: grief.

The truth is that domestic violence creates countless losses, many of which never receive acknowledgment. Survivors grieve years that were stolen, relationships that ended, opportunities that were missed, innocence that was taken, and futures they once imagined for themselves. They grieve the versions of themselves they might have become had trauma never entered their story.

Grief also does not belong only to survivors.

Children grieve the loss of safety and stability. Family members grieve broken relationships and complicated dynamics. Friends grieve as they witness the pain of those they love. Advocates and communities carry the weight of stories that forever change them.

The ripple effects of domestic violence extend far beyond a single individual, touching entire families and communities in ways that are often unseen.

Join On the Wings of Angels on Thursday, August 27, 2026, from 11:00am-2:00pm at Walsh College for an intimate and meaningful conversation exploring the many layers of grief connected to domestic violence.

Together, we will create space for honesty, healing, reflection, and hope as we examine not only what has been lost, but also what can be found in the aftermath of trauma.

This thoughtfully curated experience will feature an expert panel moderated by Lauren Edwards, a local news anchor and trusted community voice.

Panelists include grief poet and licensed therapist Sara Rian; Licensed Professional Counselor Julie Weatherhead, founder of Weathervane Counseling & Consulting; and MiVida Burrus, MBA, Senior Director of Development at Avalon Healing Center and longtime advocate for survivors and community healing.

Throughout the conversation, we will explore the hidden grief survivors carry long after abuse ends, family estrangement and complicated grief, the impact of trauma on identity and self-worth, the grief experienced by children and loved ones, and the role community plays in healing.

We will also discuss how grief and healing are not opposites, but often walk hand in hand.

Guests will be welcomed into a warm and supportive environment intentionally designed to foster comfort and connection. Soft ambiance, candles, florals, comfort items, and thoughtful touches throughout the space will create an atmosphere of care and reflection.

Lunch and dessert will be provided.

Whether you are a survivor, loved one, advocate, professional, or community member, this event offers an opportunity to better understand the many forms grief can take, and to be reminded that none of us are meant to carry it alone.

Healing does not erase grief; healing teaches us how to carry it differently.

Grief and Domestic Violence

The Things We Grieve. What We Lost. What We Found.