How to Protect and Support Children When Divorcing an Abuser episode artwork

EPISODE · Mar 23, 2026 · 1H 18M

How to Protect and Support Children When Divorcing an Abuser

from Change My Relationship · host Karla Downing

There are many reasons that it is difficult to divorce an abuser, but one of the most important is concern over how the children will be impacted. The fear can be enough to prevent abuse victims from taking the steps to move forward. It is for this reason that Tawni Carney and Karla Downing share personal and professional experience from their ministry with domestic abuse survivors on how to protect and support children when divorcing an abuser.   They identify common problems that arise with children and offer practical, heartfelt advice on how to deal with them. They cover questions such as how to respond to kids' anger and grief, how to handle visitation struggles, how to talk about the abuser, and more. They also offer suggestions for bringing God into children's lives as a source of strength.   Tawni and Karla's personal experiences in abusive marriages drive their passion to help people navigate and heal from abusive relationships. Their conversation is filled with helpful tips for anyone who has experienced abuse and/or interacts in any way with victims.   Tawni Carney is a single mother of three whose path blends creativity, ministry, and healing. After beginning her career designing swimwear for national retailers and launching her own children’s wear line, she went on to serve as a Children’s Pastor in Costa Mesa. For over 20 years, she has ministered to families throughout Orange County, California, offering support and hope. She founded Gang of Arrows, a life-skills program that grew to multiple studios, creating safe spaces where kids learn, create, and believe their “hands are made for good.”   Today, as the Executive Director of Eagles Wings Global. Tawni carries a message of deep faith in God's power to restore you and your children.   The mission of Eagles Wings is to bring hope and healing to survivors of domestic violence. They advocate, educate, and empower women and men to discover their true value and worth to break the cycle of abuse in their families. They provide physical, emotional, and spiritual support to those seeking freedom and restoration. Eagles Wings also desires to train churches and their staff to identify abuse victims and respond to them in a way that offers support rather than harm.   Karla Downing's passion is to see individuals, marriages, and families set free from dysfunction, scriptural misunderstanding, and emotional pain personally and relationally. Her messages, books, and classes provide practical solutions based on biblical truths that bring balance and clarity to life and relationship issues. She also desires to equip ministry leaders and counselors to reach out more effectively to those struggling with difficult relationships, including abuse. #Christianmarriageadvice #Christianrelationshipadvice #Christiandivorcesupport #domesticviolencesurvivors #abusiverelationships #abusivemarriage #emotionalabuse #childabuse #EaglesWingsGlobal #karladowning   Resources Eagles Wings Global is an organization that supports abused women and men. The website lists resources, which include in-person and Zoom "Love Does No Harm" groups. They also have a phone line to receive personal support. Tawni Carney can be reached through the website.  https://eagleswingsglobal.org   Love Does No Harm Workbook on Amazon https://amzn.to/4ryz4Y6   California Victims Compensation Fund https://victims.ca.gov/   Feelings Wheel for Adults and Teens https://www.socialworkerstoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/Free-Feelings-Wheel-Printable-PDF-Emotion-Wheel-Chart-for-Teens-Young-People-Adults.pdf   Feelings Wheel for Children https://www.catbears.com/images/social-stories/feelings-wheel/the-catbears-feelings-wheel.pdf     Website: https://www.changemyrelationship.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChangeMyRelationship YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@changemyrelationship Watch this video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/AYWN4WQ3g9Q

There are many reasons that it is difficult to divorce an abuser, but one of the most important is concern over how the children will be impacted. The fear can be enough to prevent abuse victims from taking the steps to move forward. It is for this reason that Tawni Carney and Karla Downing share personal and professional experience from their ministry with domestic abuse survivors on how to protect and support children when divorcing an abuser.   They identify common problems that arise with children and offer practical, heartfelt advice on how to deal with them. They cover questions such as how to respond to kids' anger and grief, how to handle visitation struggles, how to talk about the abuser, and more. They also offer suggestions for bringing God into children's lives as a source of strength.   Tawni and Karla's personal experiences in abusive marriages drive their passion to help people navigate and heal from abusive relationships. Their conversation is filled with helpful tips for anyone who has experienced abuse and/or interacts in any way with victims.   Tawni Carney is a single mother of three whose path blends creativity, ministry, and healing. After beginning her career designing swimwear for national retailers and launching her own children’s wear line, she went on to serve as a Children’s Pastor in Costa Mesa. For over 20 years, she has ministered to families throughout Orange County, California, offering support and hope. She founded Gang of Arrows, a life-skills program that grew to multiple studios, creating safe spaces where kids learn, create, and believe their “hands are made for good.”   Today, as the Executive Director of Eagles Wings Global. Tawni carries a message of deep faith in God's power to restore you and your children.   The mission of Eagles Wings is to bring hope and healing to survivors of domestic violence. They advocate, educate, and empower women and men to discover their true value and worth to break the cycle of abuse in their families. They provide physical, emotional, and spiritual support to those seeking freedom and restoration. Eagles Wings also desires to train churches and their staff to identify abuse victims and respond to them in a way that offers support rather than harm.   Karla Downing's passion is to see individuals, marriages, and families set free from dysfunction, scriptural misunderstanding, and emotional pain personally and relationally. Her messages, books, and classes provide practical solutions based on biblical truths that bring balance and clarity to life and relationship issues. She also desires to equip ministry leaders and counselors to reach out more effectively to those struggling with difficult relationships, including abuse. #Christianmarriageadvice #Christianrelationshipadvice #Christiandivorcesupport #domesticviolencesurvivors #abusiverelationships #abusivemarriage #emotionalabuse #childabuse #EaglesWingsGlobal #karladowning   Resources Eagles Wings Global is an organization that supports abused women and men. The website lists resources, which include in-person and Zoom "Love Does No Harm" groups. They also have a phone line to receive personal support. Tawni Carney can be reached through the website.  https://eagleswingsglobal.org   Love Does No Harm Workbook on Amazon https://amzn.to/4ryz4Y6   California Victims Compensation Fund https://victims.ca.gov/   Feelings Wheel for Adults and Teens https://www.socialworkerstoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/Free-Feelings-Wheel-Printable-PDF-Emotion-Wheel-Chart-for-Teens-Young-People-Adults.pdf   Feelings Wheel for Children https://www.catbears.com/images/social-stories/feelings-wheel/the-catbears-feelings-wheel.pdf     Website: https://www.changemyrelationship.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChangeMyRelationshipYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@changemyrelationship Watch this video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/AYWN4WQ3g9Q

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How to Protect and Support Children When Divorcing an Abuser

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This episode was published on March 23, 2026.

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There are many reasons that it is difficult to divorce an abuser, but one of the most important is concern over how the children will be impacted. The fear can be enough to prevent abuse victims from taking the steps to move forward. It is for this...

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