Harnessing Technology to Accelerate Access to Civil Legal Protection for Survivors
Speaking Out on Financial Abuse
Release Date: 05/16/2025
Bringing Global Resources and Hope to Millions of Survivors of Domestic Abuse
Speaking Out on Financial Abuse
DomesticShelter.Org's National Director, Ashley Rumschlag, and Hannah Craig, Director of Content, discuss their roles and backgrounds before and after joining the massive and prestigious organization which supports over 2.7 million annual visitors and has faciliated for than 55,000 "Hope Chat" conversations through their innovative technology partnerships. They detail the history of the organization and its many innovative arms of support for victims and survivors of domestic abuse including the Hope Chat AI-driven chatbot, providing instant support, and Verizon Skill Forward,...
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PAWS for Empowerment! Veterinarian's Daughter Turns Animals into Advocates with Innovative Program
Speaking Out on Financial Abuse
Grace Coleman, Director of Crisis Center North, shares her unique background growing up in a small Irish-American village and her transition to combating domestic violence. The center serves over 2,500 clients annually, providing critical services including emergency shelter and long-term counseling. Grace highlights their unique housing program for victims and their pets, and their innovative use of new technologies. She highlights the importance of financial abuse awareness and offers financial literacy workshops and a micro-loan program. Grace discusses the center's...
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Betrayal Trauma & The Holidays
Speaking Out on Financial Abuse
Mr. Jay, relationship coach and betrayal trauma practitioner, discusses his background and shares his approach to dealing with betrayal trauma during the holidays. He details his personal experiences of growing up with financial instability and the impact of his parents' behaviors on his relationship with money. Mr. Jay emphasizes the importance of self-forgiveness and healing before making major decisions post-betrayal. He advises setting boundaries, practicing grounding techniques, and maintaining self care. He also talks in depth about keeping a holiday journal and...
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Enriching Island Communities With Domestic Abuse Resources
Speaking Out on Financial Abuse
Ana Jimenez, Case Manager and Advocate with Family Resource Center in St Thomas, US Virgin Islands, discusses the growth of domestic abuse resources throughout the island communities and how resources are provided for victims and survivors of abuse. The center, serving St. Thomas, St. John, St. Croix and Water Islands, has been operational for nearly 40 years. It provides shelter, counseling and advocacy for victims of domestic violence, child abuse, sexual abuse, human trafficking and elder abuse. The center also addresses financial abuse, a critical issue often...
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Leading the Change to End Domestic Violence
Speaking Out on Financial Abuse
Today's guest, Meghan Scanlon, President and CEO of the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence, discusses her journey from Virginia to Connecticut, her involvement with social justice at an early age, and her career in advocacy. She highlights the CCADV's role in supporting 18 member organizations, providing advocacy, outreach and education, and running the statewide Domestic Violence Resource Hotline, CT Safe Connect. Meghan details the challenges of fundraising, particularly the impact of federal funding cuts, and the importance of private fundraising. She shares her...
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Empowering UK Women to Live Free of Abuse and Fear
Speaking Out on Financial Abuse
Claire Holcombe, a domestic abuse advocate from the UK, recounts her journey from wanting to be an English teacher to working with homeless and abused women. She details Women's Aid Luton's 50-year history, including its founding by feminist activists and a secret visit from Princess Diana. The organization provides refuges, a helpline and support for children. Claire emphsizes the challenges of financial abuse, the impact of cultural differences and the need for better funding and resources. She also shares initiatives like fundraising campaigns and community support...
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How Trauma Informed Coaching Can Help Heal Survivors
Speaking Out on Financial Abuse
Kathy McAtee Young, a trauma-trained certified mental health coach, discusses her path from a survivor of an abusive marriage to a a trauma-informed coach and educator for survivors and victims of domestic violence. She emphasizes the importance of understanding trauma, particularly the nervous system's response, and the need for somatic techniques in healing, Kathy highlights the significance of educating oneself about abuse, recognizing symptoms like blame-shifting and gas lighting, and creating safetly plans. She also stresses of the role of faith-based communities...
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Getting Out Without a Scorched Earth Divorce
Speaking Out on Financial Abuse
Joe Dillon, divorce mediator and co-founder of Equitable Mediation, discusses his background and the benefits of mediation over a litigated divorce. He contrasts the aggressive, financially draining nature of litigated divorces with the cost effective, cooperative approach of mediation, which he has practiced for over two decades. Joe emphasizes the importance of financial literacy and transparency, highlighting common issues like hidden debt and financial abuse. He mentions his online courses on divorce mediation, which aim to educate clients on divorce preperation,...
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Going Solo: Survivor Founds New Resource to Support DV Organizations
Speaking Out on Financial Abuse
Joy Ingram, CEO and Founder of Love & Joy, discusses her journey from Georgia to Virginia, where she began advocacy work for domestic violence survivors. She highlights her roles at New Directions and RAFT, emphasizing the importance of supporting advocates to prevent burnout. Joy also shares her personal experience as a survivor of domestic violence and sexual assault, which fueled her passion for advocacy. She notes that over 60% of advocates in the field of domestic abuse are survivors themselves and need consistent self-care and systematic changes within non-profit...
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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...
info_outlineRosie 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 services to expand their effectiveness with a growing global population and is committed daily to bringing immediate legal support for domestic abuse survivors.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS:
- Rosie explains her initial involvement in the domestic abuse field through her work with Police and Crime Commissionors.
- She details her transition to the Domestic Abuse Alliance and expresses gratitude for a platform to focus on global issues.
- Rosie explains the historical view of domestic violence and the introduction of the coercive control law recently passed in the United Kingdom, including its details and effects on abusers.
- She emphasizes the importance of the passing of the coercive control law, putting especially financial abuse on par with other forms of arrestable domestic violence offenses.
- Rosie explains the development of the WEPROTECT app, which significantly reduces the time it takes victims to receive civil legal support.
- She explains the WEPROTECT app is free to use police forces, frontline services and victims.
- Rosie discusses the challengers of funding for support services and the new government's pledge to greatly reduce violence against women within the next 10 years.
- She expresses her concerns about the continued use of means testing to verify services for domestic abuse victims.
- Rosie elaborates on the need for employers and employees alike to receive domestic violence awareness training.
- She explains how the recent pandemic was a perfect storm for domestic abuse perpetrators and victim survivors.
- Rosie highlights the importance of creating safe spaces at work to start conversations about domestic abuse and empowering line managers and HR teams to support effected workers.
- Rosie discusses the Domestic Abuse Alliance's upcoming fundraising and event plans.
LINKS:
Domestic Abuse Alliance Website