Many of us have heard stories of or know someone who has been in an abusive relationship with someone who often seemed like a stable and kind person. Dr. Robin says many times abusers have been abused themselves and just like their victims, are in need of help from friends and professionals. "If you are the person harming someone or you are the person being harmed, today is the day that you begin to bring an end to this horrible, vicious cycle you are in," she says.

Not only does the victim need to come up with an exit plan, but the abuser does too, Dr. Robin says. "The beginning of creating an exit strategy is telling someone who is safe," she says. "Let someone know that you want to bring an end to creating hurt and harm or you want to create an end to being hurt and harmed." By ending the cycle of violence with the help of people you can trust, Dr. Robin says both victims and abusers can escape from the pain, hurt and harm that abuse can have on everyone involved.