The Missouri 2024 legislative session came to a close last month, on May 17th. In this episode of MOmentum for Change, MOCADSV Public Policy Committee members, Dr. Sara Brammer, Vice President of Family Violence Services at Synergy Services and Jessica Woolbright, Executive Director at Saint Martha’s discuss their passion for public policy, notable victories from this legislative session, and policy developments that are happening at the federal level. They also reflect on their careers in service of survivors of violence and draw meaningful connections between these services and their work for positive policy change.

Episode notes:
• 2024 End of Session Report from MOCADSV: https://www.mocadsv.org/legislative_updates/2024-end-of-session-report/
• Pregnant women in Missouri can't get divorced. Critics say it fuels domestic violence: https://www.npr.org/2024/05/03/1247838036/divorce-pregnant-women-missouri-abortion-marriage-abuse
• How a decades-old Missouri law makes it harder for pregnant women to get divorced: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/missouri-pregnancy-divorce-1.7196704#:~:text=Ashley%20Aune%2C%20a%20Missouri%20state,harming%20women%20experiencing%20domestic%20violence
• The American President with Annette Bening and Michael Douglas: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112346/

Content warning: some episodes of MOmentum for Change have conversations that include content and descriptions of domestic and sexual violence, which may be alarming or activating for some listeners. Please take care and visit the MOCADSV Directory at www.mocadsv.org to connect with supportive services.

Civic engagement provides multiple opportunities for advocates to empower survivors and impact positive change throughout the community. Join MOCADSV staff, Sammie Jurado and Matthew Huffman for a discussion about the intersection of civic engagement and advocacy, voting resources that are available to survivors, and thoughts on how domestic and sexual violence advocacy organizations can participate in upcoming elections.

Resources in this episode:
• Alliance for Justice at https://afj.org/
• Engage: Multi Level Violence Prevention Strategy at https://www.mopip.org/engage/
• New Laws in Neighboring States: MOCADSV’s Public Policy Exchange at https://mocadsv.coalitionmanager.org/resourcemanager/resourcefile/details/1149

Some episodes of MOmentum for Change have conversations that include content and descriptions of domestic and sexual violence, which may be alarming or activating for some listeners. Please take care and visit the MOCADSV Directory to connect with supportive services: https://www.mocadsv.org/how-to-get-help/

Join MOCADSV for a conversation with a true Missouri hero, Lisa Saylor, who shares her inspiring story of hope, survival, and healing. She speaks to the power that survivors have to make change, in their own lives as well as in the state Legislature, and reminds us that we all have an important role to play in supporting survivors and ending domestic and sexual violence.

As Lisa shares the heartbreaking aspects of the violence she was subject to, the sexual content and graphic language may be triggering for some listeners.

Lisa is available to provide community speaking engagements and training, contact MOCADSV for more information.