Can We Talk About That? – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode, I sit down with Stephanie Butt and Jacqueline McGann, Service Managers from the Children's Aid Society Oxford, to talk openly about what CAS really does—and what it doesn’t.⁠We unpack some of the biggest misconceptions about working with CAS, what happens when a concern is reported, and how their work supports families, not just investigates them.⁠If you’ve ever felt unsure or uneasy about calling CAS—or just want to better understand their role—this one’s for you.Links from our conversation: Adverse Childhood Experience Questionnaire: https://www.acesaware.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/ACE-Questionnaire-for-Adults-Identified-English-rev.7.26.22.pdfResources + Support: Domestic Abuse Services Oxford (Emergency shelter & 24/7 crisis line)Website: www.daso.caCrisis Line Toll-Free Number: 1-800-265-1938Ingamo Homes (Second stage housing & support)Website: www.ingamohomes.comChildren's Aid Society OxfordWebsite: https://www.casoxford.on.ca/Follow us on Instagram: @canwetalkaboutthat

In this episode, I sit down with Sarah Ferguson from Oxford Sexual Assault Services (OSAS) to talk about what sexual violence is, what reaching out for support can actually look like, and how healing isn’t one-size-fits-all.We unpack what happens when someone contacts OSAS, what supports are available and why it’s okay that many survivors take time before they're ready to talk about what happened — support is still available.We also reference this consent video (yes, the iconic tea analogy ☕️) — worth a watch or rewatch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGoWLWS4-kU Whether you're a survivor, a supporter, or just curious to learn more — this episode is for you. 💜Resources & Support:Oxford Sexual Assault Services (OSAS)Website: https://oxchc.ca/homepage/services/oxford-sexual-assault-services-osas/ Cell Phone: 226.232.6149 (call or text)Email: osas@oxchc.ca Domestic Abuse Services Oxford (Emergency shelter & 24/7 crisis line)Website: www.daso.caCrisis Line Toll-Free Number: 1-800-265-1938Ingamo Homes (Second stage housing & support)Website: www.ingamohomes.comFollow us on Instagram: @canwetalkaboutthat

In this episode, I sit down with our amazing guests from DASO and Ingamo Homes for a real-time reaction to a Reddit post you won’t forget.A sister (and Maid of Honour) tells the bride just 2 days before the wedding:“You’re making the biggest mistake of your life.”We dive into the tough conversation around bystander intervention — what this sister did right, what missed the mark, and how things could have gone differently.If you’ve ever wondered when to speak up (and how), this one’s for you.Resources & Support:Domestic Abuse Services Oxford (Emergency shelter & 24/7 crisis line)Website: www.daso.caCrisis Line Toll-Free Number: 1-800-265-1938Ingamo Homes (Second stage housing & support)Website: www.ingamohomes.comFollow us on Instagram: @canwetalkaboutthat

In this episode, we sit down with two Ingamo Homes staff, Joanna Parker, Transitional Support Worker, and Mary Anne Da Costa, the Intake Coordinator, to explore the critical—but often overlooked—role of second-stage housing in supporting survivors of gender-based violence.Together, Joanna and Mary Anne share powerful stories from their work at Ingamo Homes, a second-stage housing program that provides safety, stability, and long-term support for women and children rebuilding their lives. We unpack the difference between emergency shelters and second-stage housing, discuss the barriers survivors face even after escaping violence, and highlight the transformative impact of wraparound supports, from counseling to community connection.This episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants to better understand the full journey of healing after violence—and why housing is only the beginning.Resources & Support:Domestic Abuse Services Oxford (Emergency shelter & 24/7 crisis line)Website: www.daso.caCrisis Line Toll-Free Number: 1-800-265-1938Ingamo Homes (Second stage housing & support)Website: www.ingamohomes.comFollow us on Instagram: @canwetalkaboutthat

What actually happens when someone calls a women's shelter for help? In this episode, we speak with Eden Foster-Martin from Domestic Abuse Services Oxford (DASO) to walk through what support looks like from that very first phone call.

Whether you’re reaching out for yourself or someone you care about, this conversation is all about breaking down fear and building trust. We cover what to expect, how the 24/7 crisis line works, and what happens behind the scenes at Oxford County’s emergency shelter for survivors of abuse.

Resources & Support:

Domestic Abuse Services Oxford (Emergency shelter & 24/7 crisis line)

Website: www.daso.ca

Crisis Line Toll-Free Number: 1-800-265-1938

Ingamo Homes (Second stage housing & support)

Website: www.ingamohomes.com

Follow us on Instagram: @canwetalkaboutthat

What did support for survivors of gender-based violence look like 50 years ago — and how did we get to where we are now? In this episode, we sit down with Brenda Boswell, a longtime advocate and frontline worker, to look back on the early days of GBV services in Oxford County.

From grassroots beginnings to today’s coordinated community response, Brenda shares stories, lessons, and the growing pains of building a local support system for survivors. It’s a powerful reminder of how far we’ve come — and how much further we still need to go.

Resources & Support:

Domestic Abuse Services Oxford (Emergency shelter & 24/7 crisis line)

Website: www.daso.ca

Crisis Line Toll-Free Number: 1-800-265-1938

Ingamo Homes (Second stage housing & support)

Website: www.ingamohomes.com

Follow us on Instagram: @canwetalkaboutthat

In this episode, I’m joined by three incredible guests working on the frontlines of gender-based violence support: Czarina Garcia (Manager of Programs and Outreach at Ingamo Homes), Natasha McMillan (Outreach Worker at DASO), and Brooke McCoy (Child and Youth Worker at Ingamo Homes).

Together, we live-react to a Reddit post that starts out like a lot of relationships do—loving, supportive, even “perfect.” But as the story unfolds, we hear about a boyfriend who screams, smashes things, threatens to leave during fights, controls the space at home, and rarely apologizes—yet expects sex just days later.

So… is this abuse?

We unpack the signs, talk about why situations like this can feel confusing, and help break down what emotional and psychological abuse can actually look like. It’s honest, grounded, and full of insight from the people who do this work every day.

Tune in to hear what our guests think—and maybe start seeing things a little differently.

Resources & Support:

Domestic Abuse Services Oxford (Emergency shelter & 24/7 crisis line)

Website: www.daso.ca

Crisis Line Toll-Free Number: 1-800-265-1938

Ingamo Homes (Second stage housing & support)

Website: www.ingamohomes.com

Follow us on Instagram: @canwetalkaboutthat

You’ve probably seen terms like GBV (gender-based violence) or IPV (intimate partner violence) popping up more and more online — but what do they really mean? And why does the language matter?

In this kickoff episode, we sit down with Ashley Brown, Executive Director of Domestic Abuse Services Oxford, to unpack the acronyms, and how they show up in real life. This episode is about making the conversation more human — because violence isn’t just a statistic. It’s something people in our community live through every day.

Resources & Support:

Domestic Abuse Services Oxford (Emergency shelter & 24/7 crisis line)

Website: www.daso.ca

Crisis Line Toll-Free Number: 1-800-265-1938

Ingamo Homes (Second stage housing & support)

Website: www.ingamohomes.com

Follow us on Instagram: @canwetalkaboutthat