YWCA Spokane is honored to highlight the strength and resilience of survivors who are finding healing in ways that are meaningful to them.

For Christina Schwartz, that process took shape through writing. Christina is a past YWCA Spokane client and now published author of Numb, a memoir recently released about her journey through domestic violence.

Christina began writing Numb nearly ten years ago, in the midst of her abuse. When she first began writing, it wasn’t with the goal of publishing a book, it was simply to survive. “I started writing as a form of therapy,” she shared. “It helped me process what I was going through and make sense of all the emotions I couldn’t say out loud.”

“Every time I went back to read what I’d written, it felt like another layer of healing.”

Over time, putting her experiences into words became part of her healing. Writing allowed her to confront painful memories at her own pace and regain a sense of control over her story. “Writing those chapters was so emotional,” she said. “There were times I would be shaking or crying as I typed. But every time I went back to read what I’d written, it felt like another layer of healing. Eventually, I could read those pages without shaking.”

"...it finally clicked. I realized I had always been protecting him. Now it was time to protect myself and my child."

Christina’s story traces the complexity of abuse, the fear, manipulation, and hope for change that often keep survivors trapped. When she finally left her partner after he became violent toward her and their child, she remembers a moment of clarity: “I was so proud of myself because that was such a hard thing to do. After I left, it finally clicked. I realized I had always been protecting him. Now it was time to protect myself and my child.”

Support Found in many Forms

Christina’s journey toward healing included many forms of support. She connected with YWCA Spokane’s free legal services while seeking a restraining order and called our 24-hour confidential helpline during moments of deep uncertainty. “The staff were incredible,” she said. “They were so supportive, so patient, and just made me feel safe. It’s such a nonjudgmental environment. Wherever you’re at, they meet you there.”

Later, she began working with a therapist trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), a trauma-focused therapy that helped her process experiences that once felt too heavy to speak aloud. “Some of the things I wrote about were really hard to revisit,” she reflected. “But therapy helped me find peace with them and keep moving forward.”

Giving Voice to Survivors’ Experiences

Over time, Christina’s writing became an act of reclamation. She said, “I wanted to give a voice to the people who feel silenced and to make it not such a taboo thing to talk about.” Today, Christina uses her platform to spread awareness about available resources and to remind survivors that they are not alone. “I didn’t know about YWCA’s safe shelter back then,” she reflected. “I wish I had, because I probably would have gotten out sooner. Now, I want to make sure other people know there are options; that help exists.”

"Now, I want to make sure other people know there are options; that help exists.”

She says her book Numb is more than a memoir; it’s a message of resilience and hope. “I hope readers realize that no matter what stage you’re in, whether it's emotional, psychological, or physical abuse, you can get out,” she said. “There really is light at the end of the tunnel. You are worth it.”

A decade after leaving her abusive relationship, Christina’s life looks very different. She’s a mother of three, raising her children in the safe and nurturing home she once dreamed of. Her husband, who supported her through some of her most difficult years, recently adopted her oldest child, a full-circle moment that symbolizes the safety and stability she’s fought to create.

Christina says her healing is still ongoing, but she’s proud of the person she’s become. “I look at my kids now and know they’re growing up in a safe, healthy home,” she said. “That gives me hope every single day.”

A Special Message for Survivors at YWCA's Safe Shelter

When Christina and I met, she brought a copy of her book that she wanted to give to our safe shelter. Inside the front cover it reads, “If you’re reading this note it means you’re at YWCA’s safe shelter and I wanted you to know I’m sending the biggest hug from afar. You did it! One of the scariest steps, you left. You are safe. You are seen. And you are stronger than you realize! I know the nights can feel heavy and the road ahead uncertain, but there is so much life waiting beyond this chapter. Hold onto hope. Even if it’s just a flicker right now. You can do this! You are worthy! Worthy of peace, healing, and love. Be Brave!”

Help is Available

Healing is non-linear and can take many forms. For Christina, it came through her writing. For others, it may come through therapy, art, community, rest, or simply surviving each day. At YWCA Spokane we believe every path is unique, and every step toward healing deserves to be honored.

This story reminds us that healing and safety are possible when communities come together to believe and support survivors like Christina.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please contact YWCA Spokane’s 24-hour helpline at 509-326-2255 or find more information about available services and resources on our website.