DOMESTIC VIOLENCE & ABUSE (DVA) is an incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, bullying, intimidating, isolation, demeaning, violent behavour, including sexual violence against an intimate partner.
DVA includes, but is not limited to the following:
Psychological and/or emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, financial abuse, harassment, stalking, online or digital abuse and spiritual abuse.
When people think of domestic abuse, they often focus on domestic violence. However, domestic abuse occurs whenever one person in an intimate relationship or marriage tries to control the other person by gaining and maintaining total control over you. Abusers use fear, guilt, shame, and intimidation to wear you down and keep you under him/her.
DVA does not discriminate. Abuse happens among heterosexual couples and in same-sex partnerships. It occurs within all age ranges, ethnic backgrounds, and economic levels. Although women are more commonly victimized, men are also abused especially verbally and emotionally. ABUSIVE BEHAVIOR is never acceptable, whether it’s coming from a man, a woman, a teenager, or an older adult. We all deserve to feel valued, respected, and safe.
Her mission is to Educate, Empower and Prevent the rise of Domestic Abuse.
LaVerne is a…
- Wife and mother of a blended family of 8 children and 10 grandchildren
- Author of “Overcoming the Darkness: Surviving Domestic Violence”
- Founder of “LaVerne’s Let’s Talk”
- Domestic abuse advocate
- Women’s empowerment supporter
- Inspirational & motivational speaker
- Public speaker
- Graduate of Concordia University with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management & Human Resource Management
- Producer / Director: Short film “How did I get here?”
- Last but not least, a Domestic Violence SURVIVOR!
OUR TESTIMONIALS
I have known LaVerne for almost 20 years. I have seen her passion for life, family and victims of domestic abuse. She has made it her life’s mission to serve, empower and inspire young girls and women. LaVerne travels state to state doing motivational speaking engagements and promoting her auto biography. I am so very proud of my wife and I look forward to seeing what God has instore for her next.
Richard M. Badger
Apprenticeship Training Rep. and Community AdvocateLaVerne Badger, Founder of Let’s Talk presented the most dynamic presentation to our Boys and Girls Club youth. She has a unique and effective way that kept the teenager’s full attention. They were surprisingly open and honest with her.
LaNelle Ramey
Director, Black and Latino Male AchievementLaverne Badger provided my students with an interactive overview synopsis of her experience into an unexpected domestic violent relationship. She gave an analytic perspective through her years of experiences, research and training. LaVerne’s presentation was professional, well designed and engaging.