Hope & Healing Through Support and Accountability
Speaking Out on Financial Abuse
Release Date: 04/15/2025
Legal Eagle Becomes a Champion Advocate for Survivors of Domestic Abuse
Speaking Out on Financial Abuse
Maisha Colter, CEO of AVDA in Texas, discusses her extensive background in social work and law, emphasizing her transition from social work to law to better advocate for vulnerable populations, particularly children and women. AVDA provides legal services for thousands every year, focusing on family court cases and economic abuse. Maisha highlights the organizations BIPP program, which educates abusers on gender roles and communication, and its annual interfaith workshop to train faith leaders on supporting domestic violence survivors. AVDA also conducts various community...
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Harnessing Technology to Accelerate Access to Civil Legal Protection for Survivors
Speaking Out on Financial Abuse
Rosie Watson discusses her work as Head of External Relations with the Domestic Abuse Alliance in the United Kingdom, focusing on reducing the time victims receive legal support from weeks to hours using the WEPROTECT app. She highlights the recent United Kingdom law change recognizing coercive control as a criminal offense, now managed under multi-agency public protection arrangements. Rosie emphasizes the hidden nature of domestic abuse, particularly financial abuse, and the importance of employer support. The organization also provides interpretation and translation...
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From Survivor to Advocate: Windi's Story
Speaking Out on Financial Abuse
Windi, survivor and advocate from California, shares her journey of abuse and recovery. She details her childhood, meeting her abusive partner after the tragic end to a previous engagement and the challenges of her marriage with a partner suffering from untreated PTSD and financial instability. Windi highlights her efforts to protect and educate her children about domestic abuse, as well as her advocacy work in preventing gun violence. Windi describes her passion for being an advocate for gun violence prevention after her own personal tragedy. KEY...
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Hope & Healing Through Support and Accountability
Speaking Out on Financial Abuse
Sophora Acheson, Executive Director and Co-Board President of Ruby's Place, discusses her journey from Grass Valley, Califorinia, to Santa Rosa and developing a passion for helping survivors of domestic violence. She shares her personal history of abuse and her career path, which led her to pioneer a program to reduce perpetrator violence called R.A.F.T. (Restorative Action for Family Transformation). R.A.F.T. aims to address the root causes of domestic violence by providing accountability and trauma-informed care for abusers, while insuring survivors receive necessary...
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Serving Canada's Survivors Through Reconciliation and Collaboration
Speaking Out on Financial Abuse
The Manitoba Association of Women's Shelters (MAWS) is a non-profit organization in Manitoba, Canada, dedicated to supporting survivors of gender-based violence through education, training and community collaboration. Today, Amber Merucci, Project Specialist; Tsungai Muvingi, Provincial Coodinator and Maria Paz, Communication Specialist at MAWS, discuss their roles and the organization's rich history. They emphasize MAW'S unique focus on provincial shelters and its committment to cultural humility and reconcilliation with indigenous communities. Amber, Maria and Tsungai each...
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Escaping the Gilded Cage: Sue's Story
Speaking Out on Financial Abuse
Sue, a court stenographer from Bayshore, New York, shares her harrowing experiences with financial and emotional abuse in her two marriages. She details her first husband's lies and instability, leading to a short-lived marriage and his eventual death. Her second husband, a successful financier with a beautiful mansion in Connecticut, was abusive, controlling her finances and eventually leading them both to an economic disaster. Sue's life changed after volunteering for ECLIVES, where she now serves as a vice president and rape crisis counselor. Sue emphasizes the...
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Rising Beyond Your Abusive Partnership
Speaking Out on Financial Abuse
Sybil Cummin, a licensed professional play therapist from Colorado, founded the Rising Beyond Power & Control podcast and resource website to address the gaps in support for survivors of abuse, particularly those with children. She emphasizes the concept of post-separation abuse, where abuse continues after leaving an abusive partnership. Sybil's community, designed for women, offers safety, privacy and support through live events, workshops and a private forum. She advises survivors to create safety plans, gather documentation and seek support from safe...
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Together Strong! Bringing New Hope for Survivors of Domestic Violence
Speaking Out on Financial Abuse
Julia Foos, a Community Education Coordinator from the North Shore suburbs of Chicago, discusses her role at Sarah's Inn, an organization dedicated to helping domestic violence survivors. Julia, who has a background in social work and gender studies, joined Sarah's Inn after discovering their podcast during COVID. She highlights Sarah's Inn's comprehensive services, including crisis lines, counseling, legal aid and the PAIP program which helps perpetrators of domestic violence unlearn toxic behaviors. Julia emphasizes the importance of addressing both survivors and...
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The Storms of Abusive Relationships: Finding Rescue
Speaking Out on Financial Abuse
Stephanie Russell, a Community Educator for The Ark Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Shelter in Central Texas, discusses her journey from a retired nurse to an advocate for survivors of domestic violence. She emphasizes the importance of individualized support, noting The Ark serves a diverse population including elderly and victims with pets. Stephanie highlights the comprehensive service needs each survivor can require including legal assistance, financial planning and even kennel accomodations. She emphasizes that victims of domestic violence need to prioritize...
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Lighting Your Own Path After Abuse & Betrayal
Speaking Out on Financial Abuse
Michela Giordana Castro, licensed clinical social worker and religious trauma specialist, discusses her journey from a fundamental upbringing to helping survivors of abuse and those navigating spirituality post-religious conversion. Michela emphasizes the importance of not staying silent and avoiding shame in trauma recovery. She discusses ways to seek diverse support for domestic abuse, including professional help and safe individuals, and to prioritize your own well being. Michela highlights the challenges faced by those in religious instititutions who are under...
info_outlineSophora Acheson, Executive Director and Co-Board President of Ruby's Place, discusses her journey from Grass Valley, Califorinia, to Santa Rosa and developing a passion for helping survivors of domestic violence. She shares her personal history of abuse and her career path, which led her to pioneer a program to reduce perpetrator violence called R.A.F.T. (Restorative Action for Family Transformation). R.A.F.T. aims to address the root causes of domestic violence by providing accountability and trauma-informed care for abusers, while insuring survivors receive necessary support. Sophora also details Ruby's Place's mobile health programs, serving nine Bay Area counties with basic medical services, dental care and education.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS:
- Sophora explains how her own experiences led her to become a licensed family and marriage therapist.
- She describes how she found a job as a counselor at a local domestic violence shelter.
- Sophora details her 14-year tenure with Ruby's Place, starting in direct service and eventually becoming executive director.
- She shares the history of Ruby's Place, which was founded in the 1970's as the nation's first domestic violence shelter.
- Introduction of the R.A.F.T. program and how its voluntary nature is the key to its success.
- Sophora discusses the importance of accountability and the role of trauma in driving harmful behaviors.
- Mobile health programs are discussed as an innovative way to bring basic health care and dental care to domestic abuse survivors.
- Sophora discusses October's Domestic Violence Awareness Month and her plans for a public forum to gain feedback on the R.A.F.T. program.
- Sophora gives advice to survivors on reaching out and that you are never alone.
R.A.F.T. Program at Ruby's Place