In this episode, Sheerin Gryloo's journey unfolds as a testament to resilience and advocacy. A first-generation Iranian American, Sheerin shares her family's immigration experience and the challenges they overcame in the United States. Her narrative is deeply rooted in cultural pride, shaped by celebrations like the Persian New Year, while also acknowledging the sacrifices her parents made following the Iranian Revolution.

Central to Sheerin's story is her advocacy for women's rights and systemic change. She bravely discusses her personal experiences with sexual violence and the Title IX process, shedding light on the complexities survivors face in seeking justice and healing. Sheerin's insights underscore the urgent need for better education on sexual violence and comprehensive support systems for survivors.

The episode highlights Sheerin's initiatives, including the founding of the Women's Advocacy Initiative, aimed at empowering survivors and driving systemic reform, and her co-founding of Untitled Nine focused on improving metrics and prevention strategies for sexual violence in educational settings. Sheerin emphasizes the critical importance of supporting organizations like Genesis, which provide vital services for domestic violence survivors.

Sheerin’s journey offers a poignant exploration of cultural identity and the imperative for societal change. Her story not only informs but also inspires listeners to take action, supporting initiatives that champion survivors' rights and contribute to a more just and equitable world.

What if the language we use could change the way we understand and address gender-based violence? Join us for a compelling conversation with Kelsey McKay, a former prosecutor and expert in gender-based violence, recorded onsite at the 2024 Conference on Crimes Against Women in Dallas, Texas. We explore the profound impact of terms like "victim" and "survivor," the importance of personal choice in identification, and the dehumanizing effects of legal jargon. Discover how evolving terminology within law enforcement and the criminal legal system can better recognize non-physical forms of abuse, such as coercive control, and why it's crucial to enhance empathy and support for victims.

Dive into the heart-wrenching complexities of victim credibility in legal contexts involving sexual violence and substance use. Expert insights from Russell Strand illuminate how substance use should never undermine a victim's credibility and highlight the necessity of understanding trauma responses. We critique systemic biases that scrutinize victims more harshly than defendants and emphasize the need to shift perspectives to support victims more effectively. Learn about the significant implications of non-fatal strangulation in abuse cases, as informed by research, and why accurate documentation and better training for law enforcement are paramount.

Finally, we tackle the transformative power of language in the criminal legal system with a focus on initiatives like "Uncooperative," which aims to shift systemic responses through survivor stories. Reflect on the societal burdens placed on victims and the importance of believing them as the first step toward ending domestic violence. This episode is a must-listen for anyone committed to improving the support systems and legal frameworks that protect and empower those affected by gender-based violence.

Can changing just a few words really alter our entire perception of gender-based violence? In this compelling conversation with social scientist Erica Olson, we uncover the profound impact of language on how we understand and address this pervasive issue. We explore the encoding and decoding process of communication, highlighting the importance of precise word choice in shaping public opinion, policy, and the identities of those affected. We analyze the implications of terms like "victim" versus "survivor" and their influence on both societal attitudes and legal frameworks. Erica brings invaluable insight into why person-first language matters and how it can transform the way we support and advocate for people facing intimate partner violence.

Our discussion takes a deep dive into the sinister world of intimate partner terrorism, where abusers manipulate language and gestures to exert control and instill fear. Erica shares poignant examples that reveal how these subtle forms of communication often fly under the radar, misunderstood by those outside the abusive relationship. We examine societal narratives that inadvertently shift focus away from perpetrators, emphasizing the urgent need to adopt active language that holds abusers accountable. By reframing our conversations around violence and sexual assault, we aim to foster better understanding and mobilize communities in the fight against gender-based violence. This episode is a must-listen for anyone committed to making a difference through the power of words.

When Courtney Gilmartin walks into a room, her strength and resilience are palpable. Yet her journey to becoming the founder of New Jersey Protective Moms is one woven with the dark threads of domestic violence and the battle scars of a high-conflict divorce. Courtney's story, shared in this episode, is full of raw emotion and legal complexities, yet shines a light on the unsettling truth of emotional abuse and the desperate need for a family court system that understands trauma and puts child safety at the forefront.

Courtney's experience with intimate partner violence is a harrowing reminder of how stalking, manipulation, and coercive control can maintain an abuser's grip without leaving a visible mark. What's more, even after the divorce, the specter of her ex-husband loomed large, twisting the family court system to his advantage and dragging their children into the fray. Courtney's story doesn't just expose the emotional and financial desolation faced by survivors; it's a call to action for recognizing the signs of abuse and the imperative of legal reform to protect victims from being re-traumatized by the very system that should defend them.

Beyond sharing her personal narrative, Courtney's advocacy work offers a beacon of hope for legislative change. The recent triumph of having coercive control recognized in New Jersey law is just the beginning. Her leadership in the Divorce Coalition's legislative team and her hand in pushing Caden's Law forward demonstrate a path to uniform protection for abuse survivors. Through the empowering resources of New Jersey Protective Moms and her own relentless spirit of support, Courtney Gilmartin isn't just a survivor—she's a warrior for change, providing an arsenal of knowledge and support for those navigating the aftermath of domestic violence.

In this episode we plunge into the web of lies men construct to shroud their patterns of abusive behavior with expert and author Lundy Bancroft. Exploring façades of helplessness as a guise for manipulation, the twisting of narratives that paint victims as aggressors, and the chilling ease with which abusive men deceive authorities and loved ones are all part of our unflinching look into domestic violence tactics as well as the lives of the women who endure it, often in silence and isolation.

The conversation also addresses the systemic issues plaguing the fight against domestic abuse. We reveal the startling imbalance in how society responds to male and female victims of abuse, dissecting the gendered nuances of power dynamics that often tip the scales in favor of men. Bancroft offers insights into the damaging effects of sexual mistreatment within these dynamics, the disturbing incidence of post-separation violence, and the formidable hurdles women face in custody battles. This episode serves as a reminder that despite progress in women's rights, the struggle against ingrained misogyny and the societal structures that enable it is relentless.

Ending on a note of empowerment, this episode calls upon the spirit of activism that birthed the battered women's movement and insists on its necessity today. We discuss the urgent need for activism that ignites change and challenges the status quo, alongside the critical support structures like Genesis Women's Shelter, which offers help and hope for victims of domestic violence. This episode is a rallying cry for every listener to take action, to raise their voice in protest and support, and ensure that the flames of progress continue to burn bright against the darkness of abuse and inequality.

Courtney Messina, Director of Clinical Services for Greenhouse Inpatient & Outpatient Treatment Centers in Grand Prairie and Arlington, Texas, and a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor and Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor, joins us to explore the invisible threads that bind the scourge of addiction to the turmoil of domestic violence. In this episode, we peel back the layers of these intertwined crises through the powerful narrative of "Amy," whose experience with substance dependency and an abusive relationship illuminates the harsh realities faced by victims of domestic violence. We navigate the often misunderstood concept of addiction as a complex brain disorder, dismantling the myth that it is a choice, and delve into how this malady exacerbates the already volatile nature of abusive relationships.

Ms. Messina, who has worked in the field of behavioral health since 2014, articulates the nuanced approach required to address the consequences of these co-occurring disorders. Our dialogue traverses from the statistical to the personal, examining the multifaceted forms of abuse and the vicious cycle it creates, often leading victims to seek solace in substances. This episode offers an insightful journey into the heart of these social issues and the transformative power of empathy and targeted support.

Discover the insidious nature of gender bias with Dr. Erin Kelley, as we navigate the intricacies of its impact on society and the legal system. Dr. Kelley, a Professor at Dallas College with a keen eye on the intersection of literature and law, joins us to unravel the threads of cultural stereotypes and prejudices that contribute to systemic gender inequality and violence. From the wage gap to underrepresentation in leadership and STEM, we scrutinize the societal norms that have historically placed women at a disadvantage and continue to do so today.

Venture into the legal labyrinth of consent and sexual violence prosecution as we confront the deep-rooted rape myths that still pervade our courts. The episode unearths the chilling realities survivors face—from the hurdles in reporting to the daunting journey of prosecution. We unpack the "he said, she said" narrative that often skews the scales of justice and examine the detrimental effects of misconceptions about a victim's behavior on the outcome of rape cases. By highlighting the trauma responses, such as the 'freeze' reaction, our discussion advocates for a legal system that better understands the complexities of consent and trauma.

Lastly, we turn our focus to the powerful role of media and literature in shaping public perception and the urgent need for authentic representation. Dr. Kelley spotlights crucial works like "13 Reasons Why" and Joyce Carol Oates' "Rape: A Love Story," which push boundaries by addressing the freeze response and victim-blaming. By engaging with this episode, you become part of the movement to end the cycle of violence and bias against women, one story and one verdict at a time.