News & Events

Why I Give – Kim Olmstead

Posted on by Wendi Lindquist

Kim holding Tia, a medium sized black lab

My Parents

I was raised by terrific parents. My dad always treated my mom and me with respect, admiration, and love. My mom set a powerful example by standing up for herself, stating her case, and compromising. Their marriage was (and still is) a partnership of mutual respect. In our home, everyone had a right and a voice. Every child and adult should live in such an environment.

That conviction made ending domestic violence my passion. It led me to volunteer and serve on the board. And it is why I continue to give my time and resources to LifeWire. Continue reading “Why I Give – Kim Olmstead” →

Domestic Violence and Guns

Posted on by Wendi Lindquist

The presence of a gun in a domestic violence situation increases the risk of homicide by 500%.
Guns and Homicide

A woman’s risk of homicide increases significantly when her abuser has access to a gun. Each month, an average of 52 American women are fatally shot by their current or former partners, and even more are injured. Women of color, especially Black, Native, and Hispanic women, are at even greater risk of being fatally shot, in large part because they have a harder time accessing services and support that can keep them safe. Continue reading “Domestic Violence and Guns” →

Team Up Washington

Posted on by Wendi Lindquist
Team Up Washington Logo in front of a soccer field
We are excited to announce the launch of Team Up Washington, a partnership between LifeWire, Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and Harborview Center for Sexual Assault and Traumatic Stress. The new initiative uses sports as a platform to prevent violence by empowering student athletes to be leaders at their high schools and in their communities.

Continue reading “Team Up Washington” →

Leaving an abusive relationship when you live together

Posted on by Wendi Lindquist

Teal door opening to the outside

If you’ve decided it’s time to leave an abusive relationship, you may be wondering what to do next. Whether the abuse was emotional, physical, or both, it’s a good idea to plan for how to move on safely.

Before we get into that, take a moment to acknowledge how strong you are for taking care of your needs. It’s not always easy to recognize and take action when we’re being treated poorly. You deserve to be treated with love and respect, and you’ve already taken the first step on that path.

So here are some things to consider as you move forward:

Continue reading “Leaving an abusive relationship when you live together” →