DVAM, IPV, DVHRT, PPC, SANE – If you’re not entrenched in the domestic violence movement, or if you're new to the movement, you might struggle to decode some of these acronyms. And even if you’re already playing your part in the movement, the learning curve can be real! Today, as we begin a new season, in Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM), we will be taking a closer look at all the language within the movement. We discuss the language used here at TCFV, common acronyms that can be found across the movement, and important terminologies for survivors to understand. We also unpack how language can be isolating, how language evolves, specific terms to be aware of that may have more than one meaning, and why asking for clarification is always okay. 

This podcast explores topics of intimate partner violence, abuse, and other forms of trauma. While listening, please do so with care.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: 

 

Down The Rabbit Hole | ‘Domestic Violence High-Risk Teams’  

‘Honoring Texas Victims 2023’  

‘OIM - Essentials of Advocacy in Practice’ 

Texas Council on Family Violence (TCFV) 

This podcast explores topics of intimate partner violence, abuse, and other forms of trauma. If you have the strength to listen, please do so with care. 

 

The United States v. Rahimi brought about a telling ruling that could have a widespread impact on the policing of domestic and family violence cases involving firearms. To help unpack the Rahimi decision and its consequences, William and Samantha are joined by Amanda, the Legal Sub-Team Manager at TCFV, who explains how she ended up at TCFV and why she got involved in this line of work. Then, we dive into the Rahimi case and begin to understand its core issues before seeing how the case played out in various courts, the underlying issues that made advocates fearful of the final ruling, how Bruen relates to Rahimi, and the ins and outs of the Supreme Court’s decision. To end, we share everything we hope will happen next after the relief of the Rahimi verdict.  

https://tcfv.org/wp-content/uploads/TCFV-2022-HTV-Report_Final-Web2.pdf

Although the holidays often are and can be a time of joy for many, they can also come with a lot of discomfort and unique challenges for survivors of domestic violence. During this episode, we are joined by Tracy Stebbins and Mickinze VanHerpen with Grayson Crisis Center. They share their insights on how to best prepare for the holiday season, support survivors, and take care of ourselves as advocates. Join us as we unpack the many layers of safety planning, including offering support around what it means to be safe, harm reduction, and the needs that come along with being in a rural area and a small town.

Safety Planning Resources:

https://vawnet.org/sites/default/files/assets/files/2016-11/TAGuidance-DVHolidays2011.pdf

https://www.thecenteronline.org/2021/12/14/when-the-holidays-arent-happy-managing-dv-and-its-impacts/

https://www.thehotline.org/resources/safety-planning-for-the-holidays/

https://www.workplacesrespond.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Safe-for-the-Holidays-12.2021-FINAL.pdf

https://www.hhs.texas.gov/news/2021/11/domestic-violence-resources-available-during-holidays

https://www.rainn.org/articles/safety-planning

Join the TCFV crew as we cover various topics and how they intersect with gender-based violence. This episode will feature Deb Butts, our Finance Manager, and Ryan Thomas, our Grants Writer, as they discuss some of the basics as well as the more nuanced, and sometimes confusing, pieces of Finance and Grants within family violence programs.

Federal Funding Sources for Family Violence Centers & BIPPS:

https://tcfv.org/wp-content/uploads/tcfv_federal_funding_sources_flowchart_2021.pdf

Bookkeeping Toolkit:

https://tcfv.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Nuts-and-Bolts-of-Bookkeeping-A-Toolkit_Complete_v3.pdf

This year TCFV celebrates its 45th anniversary! For today’s conversation, we are joined by TCFV’s most-tenured staff member, Maria Jose Angelelli, Director of Support to Service Providers. She has been part of the organization for 40 years, so what better person to host for our 45th birthday conversation? We talk about all about Maria’s TCFV career journey from volunteer to program director, and then she shares the story of how TCFV came to be and the growth and development she has witnessed over the years. You’ll also learn about the history of communication within our organization, how the COVID-19 pandemic altered the way in which we do things, how the mission has evolved over the years, and what Maria hopes to see in the future, plus so much more. Lastly, we remind you October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and to check in with your local program(s) and see what they’ve got going on for DVAM and how you can get involved this month and throughout the rest of the year. Thanks for listening! 

 

Please note that this episode talks about the Domestic Violence Movement, so listen with care.  

Here are some of the resources mentioned in this episode:

Texas Council on Family Violence (TCFV) 

TCFV: A History (pdf version)

The Myers-Tucker-Angelelli Archives⁠ 

National Domestic Violence Hotline 

If you have any questions about this episode, please email us at prevention@tcfv.org.

Welcome to season four of Down the Rabbit Hole! October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM), and today, October 11th, is Health Cares About Domestic Violence Day. Often healthcare workers are ill-equipped to deal with the nuances that come with treating survivors or dealing with domestic violence situations. So today, we’ve called upon Cathy Glenn to discuss the importance of educating medical professionals on standards of providing detailed care that survivors of abuse so desperately need. After previous experience as an emergency trauma nurse, Cathy is now the Injury Prevention Trauma Outreach Coordinator at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital, Dallas. Her passion extends to partnering on issues relating to family violence and its intersection with healthcare. She explains why it’s so important for healthcare workers to beef up their knowledge on domestic violence, why she only learned about domestic violence in the ER after already graduating from nursing school, and how the opportunities for violence prevention and intervention in healthcare extend far beyond the emergency room and trauma unit. We also discuss some red flags for telling when someone needs help from an abusive partner, how to extend healthcare services for survivors past their initial treatment date, how to make the ER safe for medical staff, and other ways that healthcare professionals can get involved in issues of domestic violence away from the hospital. We hope you enjoy this fall-inspired, pumpkin-flavored, information-packed season four opener! 

This podcast explores topics of gender-based violence, abuse, and other forms of trauma. Please take care of yourself as you listen to the episode and take breaks as needed. 

For more information about Health Cares About Domestic Violence Day, check out Futures Without Violence's Action Kit.

Also check out IPVhealth.org to learn more about cultivating partnerships between advocates and healthcare professionals.

If you have any questions about this episode or if you are a health care provider looking for family violence training or collaboration opportunities, please email us at prevention@tcfv.org.

William and Samantha are excited to launch Season 4 of DTRH during this upcoming Domestic Violence Awareness Month! We'll be launching this season with a bonus episode to celebrate Health Cares About Domestic Violence Day on 10/11/23. Regular episodes will air every third Wednesday of the month, beginning 10/18/23. Come join us Down the Rabbit Hole!

Trigger Warning: This episode deals with domestic violence, survivors and offenders, and the most recent legislative session. Today, we have a very special show featuring the fabulous and fantastic Maxine LaQueene, as well as returning friends of the show, Krista and Tracie! Maxine is a drag performer, trans activist, and community leader, and her presence and voice during the recent legislative session in Texas has been so powerful and inspiring. Our conversation today focuses on these recent events and how the community has responded, with Maxine sharing the best and worst of Pride Month, reasons to remain hopeful, and how allies can best serve the queer community. We touch on some of the sessions and bills, as well as their impact. One of the strongest messages to come out of our chat is how we all have a role to play and that it is possible to make a difference in your own community. We ask that you please listen to this episode with care, and remember to take breaks when needed. Stick with us through this sometimes difficult conversation with an amazing, empowering performer and a true inspiration, Maxine LaQueene!

Mentioned in today's episode:

Maxine LaQueene on Instagram

Maxine LaQueene on Venmo

Equality Texas

TENT

If you have questions about this episode, please email us at prevention@tcfv.org.

Trigger Warning: This episode deals with domestic violence, survivors and offenders, and the military. 

 

Our TCFV colleague Tabetha joins us today to explore issues of domestic violence in the military. Tabetha uses her experience and expertise in the military, as a law enforcement officer, and as a survivor advocate to compare and contrast the military response to domestic violence with civilian responses. She points out some surprising dimensions to this conversation that might not occur to civilians, such as the impact of foreign residence, law enforcement differences, and more, while also shouting out some meaningful progress and improvements that have been made in recent years. Tabetha advocates for compassionate and survivor-centered solutions, and at the end of the episode, she shares a little of her vision and hopes for the future.

If you have questions about this episode, please email us at prevention@tcfv.org.

We’re celebrating PRIDE Month with Roy, Tracie, and Hannah! During this episode, we discuss how being a member of the LGBTQIA+ community has influenced each of our guests’ advocacy. Tune in to hear how each of our distinct identities have brought different experiences to our work at the TCFV and beyond. We explore what it means to create a safe space for clients and how subtle changes can illustrate the importance of diversity and inclusion to the community beyond our walls. The conversation also touches on the trauma of managing perception in different spaces, coming together to create an impact, and why practicing what you preach is vital. We discuss safety planning, offer some valuable resources to support queer kids, and offer some hard-earned words of wisdom for new advocates. Join us to hear all this and more today! This episode includes themes of homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia. It also covers accounts of domestic and gender-based violence. Please listen with care. Happy PRIDE!

Resources mentioned in today's episode:

Lambda Legal 

Equality Texas 

The Network/La Red 

If you have any questions about this episode, please email us at prevention@tcfv.org.

This podcast explores topics of gender-based violence and other forms of abuse. Please take care of yourself as you listen and take a break if needed.

 

Parenting is one of those milestones in life that once it starts, it never stops. Being a parent can be extremely difficult for a multitude of reasons. How can being involved in the movement against family violence help you be a better parent? To help answer this question, Samantha is joined by fellow TCFV colleagues and mothers Mikisha Hooper and Barbra Grimmer. The trio begins by sharing their embarrassing and humbling parental moments before exploring the wealth of support that is available to parents at TCFV and how their jobs help them improve their parental techniques. We discuss the benefits of an advocacy mindset, the right ways to set boundaries and create space, the perils of gender socialization, and the dangers of the societal norms that allow gender-based violence to flourish. All in all, the advocacy work that Barbra, Mikisha, and Samantha do influences how they choose to parent due to their deep understanding of respect and power dynamics. They also use their experiences as parents to inform their advocacy, policy suggestions, and prevention education. For more on how to teach kids the importance of their own values, why kids deserve the same grace and consideration as adults, and how to build an environment that allows your children to flourish as their unique selves, be sure to tune in!

If you have questions about this episode, please email us at prevention@tcfv.org.

TW: This episodes covers topics relating to sexual abuse. 

As April is sexual awareness month, we decided to dedicate this episode to the topic of sexual respect, specifically in the context of BIPP (Battering Intervention and Prevention Programs) groups. Audrey Hernandez and Erica Reyna-Brodhag join William and Samantha in this episode, both of whom have worked as BIPP facilitators. Sexual abuse is an aspect of domestic abuse that is often overlooked, which is why discussing it openly in the BIPP group setting is such a valuable exercise. In this episode, Audrey and Erica share some of the deeply ingrained belief systems and behavior patterns that they have witnessed amongst the BIPP group participants they have worked with, and some of breakthroughs that have occurred during the sessions.

Here are some resources from today's episode:

The Duluth Curriculum 

What are BIPPs? 

Texas Council on Family Violence (TCFV) 

You can also email us at prevention@tcfv.org if you have any questions about this episode.

Texas State Representative, Christian Manuel, has been involved in politics for over two decades, and today, we are chatting about how his family's background in education and leadership influenced his passion for serving others to make the world a better place. Rep. Manuel begins today's conversation by explaining the significance of Juneteenth for Americans before detailing his early entry into public office and his team's commitment to supporting survivors. Rep. Manuel shares how he turns the concerns of the public into actionable policies, the achievements that he's most proud of from his time in office, how his position as an out, black man affects the way he works, and how he stays motivated in a profession riddled with fresh daily challenges. We also discuss why it's important for policymakers to listen to young voices, why we need to understand the intersectionality of the issues that we address, the role of education in achieving gender and socioeconomic balance, and how newly elected officials can go about being the best champions for their constituents.

Please note that this episode carries a trigger warning for domestic violence, transphobia/homophobia, and violence against the LGBTQ+ community and may be sensitive to some listeners. Please listen with care.

Please see the resources below:

Representative Manuel

https://www.equalitytexas.org/

https://www.transtexas.org/

Please be advised that this episode carries a trigger warning for domestic violence, religious trauma, violence in relationships, and conversations around offenders and perpetrators, and some listeners may find this upsetting.

Today we welcome Reverend Gen onto the show to talk about the role of faith leaders and communities in helping survivors and promoting offender accountability. In the context of the gender dynamics that are still present in so many religious settings, we see this area of the church's work as a great opportunity to offer support to those who need it most. In our conversation with Reverend Gen, we talk about the twisting of religious texts into justifications of harm, how we as faith communities can come together to prevent dangerous situations, shifting the culture of powerlessness and disengagement, and why domestic violence is not a private issue. There are so many areas that require further attention when it comes to the danger many women face, and one of the primary factors is shifting our understanding of harm in the home, and making these spaces safer for all inhabitants. The episode also explores the links between different types of abuse, their relation to cultures of power and control, and how more women in leadership positions can impact positive change, so to hear it all on this important topic, join us today.

For more information or to get Reverend Gen's contact information, you can email us at prevention@tcfv.org.

Please be advised that this episode carries a trigger warning for domestic violence and covers topics that some listeners may find upsetting.

There are many conversations surrounding what education on domestic violence and sexual assault in schools should look like, but has anyone ever considered what the students want? February is National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month (TDVAM), a month-long campaign focused on raising awareness about teen dating abuse. This is a problem that does not only impact teens but also their friends, parents, and communities. To help us unpack this complex topic is TCFV Youth Board Member Mackenzie Splawn, the outreach manager for a non-profit called First Step of Wichita Falls, which aims to eliminate domestic violence and sexual assault and provides a haven and support for survivors. Being a teen, Mackenzie provides a unique perspective as we delve into what students need regarding domestic violence and sexual abuse education and what schools could be doing differently. We discuss the type of conversations parents and teachers should be having with kids and why young people may be hesitant to talk about sex and relationships. We explore what schools should include in the curriculum, why we should trust young people, removing restrictions for educators to do their job, and much more. Tune in to hear more from this special conversation with Mackenzie Splawn.

TCFV Teen Dating Violence Toolkit- https://s.tiled.co/0qidZv5/teen-dating-violence-digital-toolkit

Love is Respect- https://www.loveisrespect.org/get-involved/tdvam/

TCFV Prevention email- prevention@tcfv.org

Please note that this episode carries a trigger warning for conversations around school shootings, domestic violence, and the cultural perceptions of violence against women.

There is no better way to kick off 2023 than to discuss some of the random current happenings in the media, and, while looking at these happenings, how nonprofit organizations can create an intentional, successful space on social media. Managing engagement can be challenging. It requires you to walk the fine line between creating awareness and solidarity while avoiding triggering and potentially harmful viral trends. There is a need for both blanket education and culture shifts in order for nonprofits to reach the right audience. Samantha and William comment on a range of topics today, from the shocking death of tWitch, the fake celebrity death trend on TikTok, the taboo about men's mental health that has come to the forefront on social media, and how to start trends about difficult but necessary topics. Plus, you will hear about the harm Andrew Tate is causing, how dynamics can come down to power and money, and the importance of holding those around us accountable. Hopefully, we are saying goodbye to some of the trends that we discussed and leaving them in 2022!

For more information or to provide suggestions about future episodes, email us at prevention@tcfv.org.

If you live in Texas and support full funding for family violence programs, please sign a Purple Postcard.

Should companies be concerned about domestic violence? What role can businesses play in addressing or responding to domestic violence? Can they play a role in violence prevention? To help us answer these questions is our new colleague Gabby Fuentes, the Public Policy Coordinator-Housing at TCFV. Please note this episode carries a trigger warning for domestic violence. In this episode, we discuss domestic violence in the workplace, the responsibility of businesses to victims and the community, and how organizations can help be the solution, with a particular focus on corporate organizations. We discuss why companies should care about domestic violence, appropriate company policies on domestic violence, and how to create a foundation of safety. We also delve into the internal and external mechanisms available to companies regarding domestic violence, the responsibility of organizations to hold perpetrators of violence accountable, the unintended consequences of zero-tolerance policies, and the financial cost for organizations. We explore why there should be more public awareness, reasons companies avoid the issue, and what the domestic violence movement can learn from other social campaigns. Join us as we unpack how companies can help innovate, mobilize, engage, and help create safer communities with Samantha, William, and Gabby!

Here are the resources from this episode:

Futures Without Violence
Futures Without Violence Workplace Safety & Equity
REPORT: ‘Ending Gender-Based Violence in the World of Work in the United States’
Workplaces Respond to Domestic & Sexual Violence Toolkit


If you have any questions about this episode, please email us at prevention@tcfv.org!

Trigger warnings: domestic violence, homicide, suicide, firearms

In 2021, Texas experienced its third-highest recorded number of domestic violence fatalities. Today’s guests, Sarah Hilderbrand and Mikisha Hooper, were both instrumental in the production of the 2021 Honoring Texas Victims (HTV) Report which highlights key statistics relating to domestic violence and gives a human face to the victims by providing deep analyses of the cases. A few things become clear during this discussion; Texas is in the midst of a domestic violence epidemic, there is a strong correlation between firearm possession and domestic violence fatalities, and there are a few key strategies that, when implemented correctly, can lead to a drastic reduction in domestic violence homicides. This episode may be hard to listen to at times, but understanding the issue is the first step to solving this complex problem.

You can learn more about HTV by exploring the report below: 

HTV full report

HTV narratives

HTV summary facts (English)

HTV summary facts (Spanish)

Welcome back to Down the Rabbit Hole, our first episode of season three! Today, we will be talking to the prevention team about potentially triggering topics surrounding prevention and behavioral changes. We discuss how behavioral change could be possible, why challenging belief systems is a nuanced task, why adults also need prevention education, and the false separation between prevention and intervention services. Evidence-based curriculums are difficult to debate due to their very nature, but we conclude that they still need to evolve to become more inclusive of the people they neglect to represent. You’ll learn why victim blaming is a slippery slope, why prevention needs to be prevalent at all levels of an organization, how those outside the scope can be useful allies, and why there is a need to critically assess the misrepresentations that are endemic to mainstream media. To hear all about our fears and phobias and to understand why prevention education is so important, tune in now! Please note that this episode carries a trigger warning for domestic violence.

We are excited to announce that Season 3 is coming this month! October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) and is the perfect time for a season 3 launch. Season 3 will bring some changes... fewer episodes, longer episodes, and new voices, but as always we will be having some great conversations. We celebrate you coming back for a third season of DTRH, and if this is your first we hope you enjoy it. We wish everyone a safe DVAM. Welcome to the Movement!

**Stat correction: Just under 40% of survivors in Texas who seek shelter are turned away due to lack of space.**

Welcome to the final episode of Down The Rabbit Hole Season 2! Today, Sarah and Victoria join Samantha and William in a battle royale of MSWs and MPHs (Master of Social Work and Master of Public Health)! In all seriousness, in this episode we explore the differences and similarities in the ways the public health and social work fields approach advocacy and violence prevention. Tuning in you’ll hear about our failures during our studies, the paths we took following receiving our Master’s degrees, how to become a licensed social public health worker, and how you can tailor your own journey. We also delve into working before receiving your degree, the benefits of doing so, the dangers of lack of community-based research, the different types of research used, and why the collaboration of the entire system is imperative to end violence. Finally, we share some tips for anyone looking to get their MPH or MSW. To hear all this and more, press play now!

Firearms are a big topic of conversation right now in the country, particularly in Texas, and so, in today’s episode, we take a deep dive into their impact on domestic violence survivors and their communities. Joined by Mikisha Hooper and Mohini Lal, we discuss the Honoring Texas Victims Report and what it tells us about firearms and their role in domestic violence. We talk about firearm prohibitions and transfer protocols that are already in place, pitfalls related to the enforcement of these, why it’s so easy for prohibited possessors to legally buy firearms, the problem of accountability when it comes to the sellers, and how the current system puts first responders at risk. We also share our views on the need for community understanding of domestic violence and social support for victims. We discuss how to move from an approach of response or intervention to one of prevention and share some additional resources on the intersection of firearms and domestic violence. To hear more about some of the preventative measures, strategies, and tactics that we can use to address this serious issue, tune in today!

Please note that this episode carries a heavy trigger warning for domestic violence as well as firearms with references to mass shootings.

Resources from this episode:
2020 Honoring Texas Victims Report
National Resource Center on Domestic Violence and Firearms
Danger Assessment

Just a reminder that you can always email us at prevention@tcfv.org if you have any questions about this episode.

LGBTQ+ inclusive services and policies are essential to help people understand members of the LGBTQ+ community, increase the safety and security of LGBTQ+ people, and ultimately create a more inclusive world. Please note that this episode carries a trigger warning as we discuss some sensitive topics such as suicide due to lack of acceptance of gender identity and sexual orientation. Today on Down The Rabbit Hole, we are joined by Leslie McMurray. Leslie, among many things, is the Transgender Education and Advocacy Associate at Resource Center--the largest LGBTQ+ service organization in Texas. Tuning in this pride month you will hear about the policies Leslie uses to help businesses become more LGBTQ+ inclusive, the importance of accepting people for who they are, as well as why empathy and compassion is essential. We also discuss why there is no ‘right time’ to come out and the importance of having support systems for people of all ages discovering their gender identity and sexuality. Finally, we delve into gender care for children and how it is handled. Join us to do your part in filling the world with love and pride!

In 2024, Pride is a movement, but it originated as a collection of moments when brave LGBTQ people who were experiencing severe hardships stood up for their identities. In celebration of Pride month, we are joined by the CEO of The Montrose Center, Avery Belyeu to discuss the LGBTQ+ community, their resilience, the intersection between the community and domestic violence, and the challenges of being queer in Texas. More specifically, you’ll hear about our guest’s life as an LGBTQ activist, the incredible Montrose Center and what they offer, where Pride originated from, why it is so important, and so much more! We delve into the public health issues surrounding domestic violence in LGBTQ communities before discussing cultural fluency and cultural humility. We even talk about how faith communities can either be healing or dangerous for the LGBTQ community and how to find joy and resilience as a queer person, even in harsher environments like Texas. Finally, Avery shares her hopes and dreams for her community. Thank you for tuning in and happy Pride!  

Please note that this episode carries a trigger warning for homophobia and violence against the LGBTQ+ community and may be sensitive to some listeners. Please listen with care.

The events of the Uvalde school shooting shocked not only America but also the world. The rise in mass shootings in America in recent years is a great cause for concern and reaching solutions will require difficult discussions to be had. In today’s show, the TCFV Prevention Team takes the time to reflect on the recent events in Uvalde and some of the wide-ranging impacts. Please note that this episode carries a trigger warning, as we cover topics related to trauma, mass shootings, and other difficult topics. Listener discretion is advised. We discuss how people are feeling after the recent tragic events, why some people feel guilty, and why the proposed solutions will not work, as well as the role of privilege in accessing mental health support, how mass shootings are an intersection of other larger societal problems, and some of the current challenges facing the Uvalde community. We also talk about the stigma that surrounds mental health and why holistic solutions and broader cultural and policy shifts are needed, plus we share some helpful resources for people who need support, as well as how you can help the Uvalde community. Make sure to tune in today for this important conversation.

Here are some resources to help the Uvalde community:

First State Bank of Uvalde
Donate using Zelle
Uvalde 24/7 Mental Health Support Hotline: 888-690-0799

Here is the number for the U.S. Capitol Switchboard if you would like to call your senator or representative to demand action: (202) 224-3121.

If you have questions about this episode, please email prevention@tcfv.org.

Welcome back to Down the Rabbit Hole! During today’s episode, we talk about something we have never talked about - DVHRTs, or Domestic Violence High-Risk Teams. Please note that this episode carries a trigger warning for domestic violence and related topics. Today’s guest is our colleague, Dr. David Scott. Join us to hear how he came to train officers on Domestic Violence High-Risk Teams before becoming a policy coordinator. We discuss what a DVHRT is and why leaving domestic violence incidents to the police to manage is insufficient. Dr. Scott shares the goal of DVHRTs - which is to take the guesswork out of domestic violence cases - and reveals how he goes about matching teams to specific cases. We touch on funding, community resources, and dive into some meaningful statistics as well as how these statistics show us the importance of DVHRTs. TW: For listeners who wish to avoid detailed statistics around domestic violence, please skip audio between [00:40:38] and [00:41:51].

We are joined by wonderful co-workers Erika Reyna-Brodhag and Diane Bocklage to discuss BIPPs—Batterer Intervention and Prevention Programs; we break down what they are, the purpose they serve, and how they’re facilitated. Erika and Diane are on the Support to Services Providers team at TCFV, specifically the Family Violence Services sub-team, which supports BIPP services and other programs in a variety of services. Please note that this episode carries a trigger warning; the focus is on offender services and batterer intervention programs, thus we mention domestic violence. The goal of BIPPs is behavior change and accountability, that’s a given, but the true goal is safety in communities and survivor safety. In our conversation with Erika and Diane, we discuss the importance of BIPPs, who the programs are designed for, and how they’re structured in Texas, specifically. Tune in to find out more about the society-driven factors that lead to violence and why getting to the root of anger is far more valuable than anger management in putting an end to domestic violence.

To learn more about BIPPs in Texas check out TCFV's Tools for Transformation webpage and the Texas Criminal Justice Assistance Division's website for information about accredited programs.

For more information about this episode, please contact us at prevention@tcfv.org.

Grieving is a normal emotion that everyone will experience during their life. However, the complexities of society and the misconceptions around grief compound the problem, leaving people feeling helpless. Please note that this episode carries a trigger warning for those who are grieving. Tune in to hear us discuss the intersection of grief and intimate partner violence, offering a definition for grief, and considering how the traditional view of grief limits our understanding and in-turn our ability to overcome it. We discuss the intersection of race and gender with regards to grief and why this needs to be acknowledged, before providing listeners with some examples of grief and how it can result in risky behaviors. We talk about the importance of grief mitigation for abusers and for those who use violence and provide listeners with some helpful resources to navigate grief and provide support for others who are grieving. Tune in today to hear about an incredibly important subject as we go Down the Rabbit Hole! Here are the resources mentioned in today's episode along with a few others: The Wild Edge of Sorrow: Rituals of Renewal and the Sacred Work of Grief by Frances Weller Grieving While Black: An Antiracist Take on Oppression and Sorrow by Breeshia Wade It’s Ok That You’re Not Ok by Megan Devine Grief Belongs in Social Movements. Can We Embrace It? by Malkia Devich-Cyril This chapter in in Holding Change: The Way of Emergent Strategy Facilitation and Meditation by adrienne maree brown: "To Give Your Hands to Freedom, First Give Them to Grief" by Malkia Devich-Cyril. My Grandmother’s Hands by Resma Manakem As always if you have any questions about this episode, please email us at prevention@tcfv.org.

There’s a common dichotomy in the way society thinks about domestic violence and financial independence: survivors are simultaneously expected to “just leave” and are also somehow expected to avoid poverty. Joining us today to discuss economic justice is Mona Muro! Please note that this episode comes with a trigger warning about economic abuse, domestic violence, white supremacy, and colonialism. Feel free to take a break as needed, but we hope you can join us to learn about what defines economic justice, how we develop our concepts and contexts of economics and finances, and how our movement can challenge the systems in place that perpetuate economic abuse. We delve into the money messages that we have been exposed to throughout our lives, and how what we have internalized about finances can impact our responses to economic abuse. Mona describes the importance of having the conversation about economic justice in bringing the movement to those who most need it and why she is driving for a shift in the narrative from a place of scarcity to that of abundance. We wrap up the episode with Mona’s view of where the movement is going and the changes that need to be implemented to both the tax and the credit systems. For all this and so much more, tune in today.

Here are some resources related to Economic Justice:

The Allstate Foundation - Money messages, credit, and financial abuse resource: https://allstatefoundation.org/what-we-do/end-domestic-violence/resources/

Freefrom - general webpage (freefrom.org). Exploring our Relationship with money webinar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjer3v5l7Hg

Diagram Colonization, capitalism, supremacy intersection: Decolonizing Health Care by Rupa Marya, MD

As always, you can contact us at prevention@tcfv.org for more information.

All too often, the people making the rules on survivor care and policy don't have personal experience in this area. This week William and cohost Samantha are joined by Liz Bailey to talk about her journey to advocacy and the importance of diverse survivors' voices in this space. A speech therapist by trade, she is a survivor, an advocate, and the host of a podcast herself, The Pretty Truth, and she is currently writing a book about her experiences. In this episode, Liz shares the steps she found most useful in the lifelong process of regaining self-trust after leaving an abusive relationship, before shedding light on the value of getting quiet inside and how this action helps build a solid relationship with yourself, from the inside out. We then dive into her passion for advocacy in order to address a system that is broken, and the need for diverse and inclusive survivor voices to fully inform policy and care that is supportive. We also discuss the opportunity to address systemic change and prevention with the next generation, and discuss some all-too-familiar scenarios where education of officers of the law and court is crucial in creating a trauma-informed lens. Please note that this episode carries a trigger warning for domestic abuse. We hope you can join us to hear Liz's vision for the future, plus the perceptive and realistic advice from a friend that allowed her to take the first steps toward empowerment!

You can learn more about Liz at lizgbailey.com.
Listen to The Pretty Truth here.

Please contact us at prevention at TCFV.org if you have any questions.

On today’s episode of Down the Rabbit Hole, William and Kate are joined by Jennifer Mudge and Mohini Lal to discuss reproductive justice and how it intersects with intimate partner violence. Serving as a TCFV Public Policy Coordinator and Public Policy Manager respectively, Jen and Mohini have many years of demonstrated experience in the gender-based violence and reproductive justice movements between them. Listen in as we reflect on the intersectional nature of reproductive justice and how it encompasses not just the right to choose if, when, and how to have children, but also broader social issues such as environmental justice, domestic violence, and gender-affirming care. We also touch on common taboos and misconceptions, how reproductive coercion is rooted in systems of oppression, and Jen and Mohini share some helpful resources for survivors and listeners in Texas and beyond. Reproductive justice is a complex topic that can be difficult to talk about. As such, please be aware that today’s episode carries a trigger warning for trauma related to reproductive justice, reproductive coercion, and abortion, as well as domestic and sexual violence. We hope that you find this conversation insightful and informative, but please feel free to take a break should any of today’s content be triggering for you.

If you have any questions about this episode, please email us at prevention@tcfv.org. Below is a list of the resources mentioned in this episode plus a couple of additional ones:

The Design of Everyday Things by Don Norman (the book Kate mentioned during the icebreaker)

PATH Framework (path-framework.com)

Jane’s Due Process (janesdueprocess.org)

Unite for Reproductive and Gender Equity (URGE) (urge.org)

Avow Texas (avowtexas.org)

All-Options (all-options.org)

Center for Reproductive Rights (reproductiverights.org)

National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum (NAPAWF) (napawf.org)

Black Women’s Health Imperative (bwhi.org)

Sister Song (sistersong.net)

National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health (latinainstitute.org)

Reproductive Abuse and Coercion- WomensLaw (womenslaw.org)

Power to Decide's Once Key Question Campaign (powertodecide.org/one-key-question) [previously mentioned in the "Pregnancy & DV" episode]

Every Body Texas (everybodytexas.org)

Claire and Samantha join William on the podcast today to explore the theme of how masculinity is represented in popular media. Please be aware that this episode includes references to abusive and violent behavior towards women and this may be triggering and upsetting for certain listeners, we advise that if you want to skip certain portions to go ahead and do that. We start off the chat by getting some background from our co-hosts and how they became involved in TCFV before diving into the topic of toxic masculinity and how it crops up in some of the most popular TV shows. Another warning: we will be discussing content and events in a few different TV shows and movies, and there are some spoilers! The majority of today's discussion is centered on the contemporary series, You, and the problematic nature of the antagonist in the show. We talk about the mixed feelings this brings up for us, and how to best approach this ambivalence. Our conversation also covers themes of money and guilt, outdated elements to our favorite old shows, and how media influences young people and their idea of societal standards and norms. So to hear it all on this important subject, listen in with us as we go Down the Rabbit Hole!

If you have any questions about this episode, please email us at prevention@tcfv.org.

If you're curious, here is the article Samantha referenced early on in the episode: https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2018/01/when-pop-culture-sells-dangerous-myths-about-romance/549749/

This week, in continued recognition of Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (TDVAM), three youth leaders take over our podcast to discuss youth leadership advocacy and activism. Tune in to hear about the challenges each of our guests have faced as teenagers advocating for themselves, and what their experience of backlash has looked like. You’ll hear how they have fought back and inspired others to do the same, and why they believe that teens are uniquely positioned to support other teens. Tune in to hear what they recommend if you want to get involved in youth leadership and how they have been affected by mentorship in their lives. We hope you join us to hear some more insights from these inspiring young people today and that you feel inspired with new ways to engage youth during the rest of TDVAM and beyond.

If you have any questions about this episode or would like engage Santino, Vivian, or Noah in a speaking event or training, please email us at prevention@tcfv.org.

Today's episode of Down The Rabbit Hole is about the intersection between traumatic brain injury (TBI) in people who have experienced domestic abuse, and an invaluable healing modality called neurofeedback. Please note that this episode carries a trigger warning for domestic violence. Joining us we have two experts who are widely experienced in the field of helping survivors heal: Josh Brown from Fort Bend Women's Center and Abeer Monem from the Harris Country Domestic Violence Coordinating Council. We start by learning that neurofeedback (also known as neurotherapy) teaches self-control of brain functions to develop healthier emotional patterns, before diving into the program that Abeer and Josh created that is pushing neurotherapy to the frontline of survivor care and support. You'll hear Abeer describe the lightbulb moment when she realized the missing neurological information necessary for her patients' healing, how she teamed up with Josh Brown, and the long road that led to the creation of the program. We also touch on issues of transport and hear some visionary steps to create much-needed mobile advocacy services. Finally, you'll hear some moving testimonies of the truly transformational impact that neurofeedback has! Join us for another inspiring conversation highlighting the incredible work that's driving healing care.

Find the Harris County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council online at hcdvcc.org, and the Fort Bend Women's Center at fbwc.org.

Other resources mentioned in this episode include the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (nrcdv.org) and VAWnet (vawnet.org).

If you want more information on this episode, you can email us at prevention@TCFV.org.
You can also reach out to Josh (jbrown@fbwc.org) and Abeer (abeermonem@hcdvcc.org) directly. 

In December 2023, after three decades in office and as the longest-serving member of the Texas Senate, Senator Judith Zaffirini became the first-ever woman elected as Dean of the Senate! However, this was not her first time breaking new ground, as she was also the first-ever Mexican-American woman to become a senator in Texas.

Incredibly, Senator Zaffirini is also an award-winning communications specialist and Vice-Chair of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources & Economic Development (and more!), and she joins us today to unpack the great work she’s done in her decades-long service to the people of Texas. Senator Zaffirini explains what motivated her to run for office, why she remains persistent to persevere in this work, why she reveres her close relationship with survivors and other constituents, and the standout achievements from her esteemed career.

We learn about her methods for ensuring that her bills are passed, how she navigates her daily challenges, what elected officials in Texas need to be doing more of for survivors, how to improve the quality of community engagement (even without a vote), and why young voices are the ones that matter the most. To end, we explore Texas’ prevention angle, how gender roles in public office have evolved, how motherhood made Senator Zaffirini a better senator and leader, how she became an honorary nun, and her parting words of wisdom for listeners.

This podcast explores topics of intimate partner violence, abuse, and other forms of trauma. As you are listening, please do so with care. 

It's a new year, and Sarah is back to visit! You can tell none of us are feeling our best, but we were still excited to be together again. Sarah talks about bringing Prevention into new places and spaces. She shares the challenges that she has faced through transitioning from the macro-scale prevention work she did at TCFV to the micro-scale counseling space, some of the enlightening experiences she has had during this journey, and the invaluable lessons she has learned about privilege, self-care and wellness, and creating safe spaces for people who have never had one before. We're so thankful Sarah was able to come back and hope this isn't the last time she jumps down a rabbit hole with us!

If you have any questions about this episode, email us at prevention@tcfv.org.

And of course... here is our book list from the beginning of the episode:

The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown;

The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander;

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston;

The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes;

A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson;

The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood;

the mermaid gets her voice back in this one by Amanda Lovelace (William said the wrong title in the episode--oops!);

Just As I Am by Cicely Tyson;

Unapologetic: A Black, Queer, and Feminist Mandate for Radical Movements by Charlene Carruthers

This week on Down the Rabbit Hole we are joined by one of our star young people, Santino Camacho, who has been engaged with TCFV on multiple levels, to talk about the important topic of youth advocacy and engagement. As adults, we often lose touch with how busy young people can be and the immense pressure they are under. Not only are they occupied with school work, socializing, and getting ready for college, but they’re also figuring out what they’d like to do with their lives. In our conversation, we discuss why you should never pigeonhole yourself, no matter your age, and unpack some of the important benefits of becoming involved with advocacy. We explore the many ways that young people can get involved, like leadership and volunteering, and reflect on some of the challenges that can come with advocacy work. Santino also speaks to his experience as a young man who has never experienced domestic violence, how he came to be involved in advocacy, and ways to encourage young people to engage with movements that aren’t directly related to their experiences. To learn more about youth advocacy, how to nurture engagement, and Santino’s insights on collaboration and coaching, tune in today! Please note that this episode carries a trigger warning for dating and domestic violence.

Today, we are going to be talking about a housing report that Texas Council on Family Violence has produced. Joining us for this very important topic is Molly Thibodeaux, Public Policy Coordinator at the TCFV. Molly was responsible for spearheading the report titled “Regaining Balance: Safe & Stable Housing for Survivors of Domestic Violence.” In this episode, she sheds light on why it’s so important that we explore the intersection of housing and domestic violence and the impact of homelessness on survivors. She also explains how the report came about through interviews with transitional housing grantees funded through VOCA funding. We talk about the five different housing assistance options that are covered in the report, what is working in the Texas programs, and Molly’s recommendations to funders. You’ll hear about why services should be survivor-driven and survivor-centered, the importance of using a trauma-informed approach, and the challenge of providing the right blend of independence and support. To understand how housing is actually a form of prevention and what you can do to get involved or lend support to domestic violence survivors, tune in today! Please note that this episode carries a trigger warning for domestic violence.

To access "Regaining Balance" copy and paste this link into your browser: www.tcfv.org/tcfv_regaining_balance_housing_rpt_2021/
To access the housing chart Molly referenced copy and paste this link: www.tcfv.org/tcfv_housing_beyond_shelter_chart_2021/

If you'd like more information on this episode or on Down the Rabbit Hole generally, contact us at prevention@tcfv.org.

If you'd like more information on fee waivers for driver's licenses, ID's, and/or birth certificates, you can email Molly at mthibodeaux@tcfv.org.

Today we are very excited to share an amazing and hope-inspiring conversation with all of our listeners! We are joined by Dr. Leila Wood and Dr. Jeff Temple from The University of Texas Medical Branch Center for Violence Prevention to talk about the latest research on domestic violence and how this can help us all make meaningful progress in improving people's lives! We get into some of the impactful findings that Leila and Jeff have been working with, as well as some of the academic work on the horizon, as we situate the most notable developments in prevention strategies and practices for children, emerging adults, and adults too. Leila and Jeff unpack the important idea of a broader prism of prevention, noting the various prongs of economic and structural actions that can make a difference in homes. We also hear about how opening the lens through which we view preventative action can have immediate effects and underlines the importance of accessible research. The conversation touches on the five goals of prevention, a hugely important framework that deserves its own episode entirely! So, to hear it all, be sure to listen in with us and our great guests! Please note that this episode carries a trigger warning, as we refer to child abuse, intimate partner violence, and sexual assault.

UTMB Center for Violence Prevention: https://www.utmb.edu/cvp/home
Follow Dr. Wood on Twitter @LeilaWoodWood
Follow Dr. Temple on Twitter @DrJeffTemple

You can always contact us at prevention@tcfv.org or check out our website at tcfv.org for more information!

Arlene Vassell joins the podcast this week with Roy and William. Together they discuss the importance of understanding and living out that survivor justice is inextricably linked to racial justice. From the personal to the systemic, racial injustice impacts survivors. Listen along and answer some of these questions for yourself and consider which of the calls to action you are able to take on.

Here are the resources mentioned in this episode:

Fall 2021 PreventIPV Newsletter: No Survivor Justice Without Racial Justice

Here and There: An open letter to white women in the movement to end gender-based violence

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7QB6pB8-8s No Survivor Justice Without Racial Justice beyond DVAM

And of course you can always email us at prevention@tcfv.org.

Down the Rabbit Hole welcomes Sarah and Mikisha back this year to discuss the most recent Honoring Texas Victims (HTV) report--TCFV's annual intimate partner violence (IPV) fatality report--which was released October 2021. The report identifies the IPV homicides in 2020 in Texas and provides statistics, analysis, and commentary on the victims, the perpetrators, risk and protective factors, and trends in the data. In addition to discussing the report, Sarah and Mikisha talk about the challenges COVID continues to present for domestic violence services and research.

To find the HTV fact sheet, narratives, and full report, please visit the TCFV website: https://tcfv.org/publications/.

If you'd like to connect with us about HTV or any other information relayed in this report, email us at prevention@tcfv.org.

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time when anti-violence advocates work hard to bring attention to an issue that continues to affect our communities; but it’s also an important opportunity to understand how systems of oppression are interconnected. For the first episode in season two of Down the Rabbit Hole, William and guest host, Rita, are joined by Brenda Sykes, Executive Director of Bay Area Turning Point (BATP), to discuss the intersection between racial (in)equity and domestic violence. Listen in as Brenda reflects on the importance of bringing a racial justice framework to our efforts to end domestic violence, highlighting the inherent violence associated with elevating the voices of BIPOC communities, who are disproportionately impacted by DV, and the importance of examining the relationship that the anti-violence movement has with law enforcement. We also touch on the importance of self-reflection, collective action, and collaboration, and why being honest about the history of the movement and your organizations is critical. Brenda leaves non-BIPOC advocates with some words of advice: just because you inherit less risk by elevating your voice, it doesn’t mean you need to step in as a savior! For more on the importance of examining our roles within systems of power and oppression, tune in today for this informative and candid discussion with Brenda Sykes, a true leader in the anti-violence space!

You can check out Bay Area Turning Point online at bayareaturningpoint.org.

We are still working in a virtual space, so please be patient with us as we continue to work through technical issues with microphones and recordings.

If you have any questions about this episode, you can reach out to us at prevention@tcfv.org.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and today is Go Purple Day. We hope you're wearing your purple, and we are excited to announce that after a long break, Down the Rabbit Hole is back! Listen to this quick preview to learn about some of the changes coming this season. Whether you are a regular listener or you're brand new, we look forward to sharing this season's discussions about gender-based violence, social inequities, and prevention with you!

Thank you. As this season of Down the Rabbit Hole comes to an end, listen along as Sarah and William reflect on their podcasting journey and express gratitude for the massive amount of support they received. While it's not a blooper reel, his episode is being released (mostly) unedited to give you a small look behind the curtain to give some insight into the podcasting process and a raw glimpse of Sarah's and William's cohosting dynamics.

We appreciate you coming along down all of the rabbit holes this season and hope that you have learned and laughed along the way. As always if you want to reach out to us about this episode or any others, you can send an email to prevention@tcfv.org.

It's PRIDE month! This week Roy Rios--prevention manager at TCFV--joins the podcast to talk about the the intersection of masculinity and the LGBTQ community. Following the rabbit hole where it leads, the discussion morphs into a conversation about the need for queer representation in media and in prevention work.

From everyone here at Down the Rabbit Hole, we wish everyone a safe and happy PRIDE!

To connect with us about this episode, email us at prevention@tcfv.org.

In honor of PRIDE month, here are some Texas-based LGBTQ-serving organizations you need to know:

Equality Texas: https://www.equalitytexas.org/
Transgender Education Network of Texas (TENT): https://www.transtexas.org/
Lambda Legal: https://www.lambdalegal.org/states-regions/texas
allgo: https://allgo.org/
Out Youth: https://www.outyouth.org/
Fiesta Youth: http://www.fiesta-youth.org/
Open Arms Rape Crisis Center & LGBT+ Services: https://openarmscv.com/
Dallas Resource Center: https://www.myresourcecenter.org/
Montrose Center: https://www.montrosecenter.org/
South Texas Equality Project (STEP): http://rgvresourcelist.com/

This podcast explores topics of homicide, intimate partner violence, abuse, and other forms of trauma. As you are listening, please do so with care and take a break if you need it.

For this year’s Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAPM), we are so excited to welcome our friends from the Texas Association Against Sexual Assault (TAASA) onto the show for the very first time! We’re going to talk about our strongest food opinions yet with Megan Perkins and Madison Jackson, and more importantly, they are going to share all of the amazing things TAASA has planned for April. Megan and Madison join us in discussion around the relationship between prevention and awareness, why it’s important that both of our organizations exist and can work together, plus offer some helpful resources linked below.

TAASA Resources

Sexual Violence in Texas – Fact Sheet

nsvrc

Denim Day

I Ask for Consent

Turn Texas Teal: Empowerment Playlist!

RAINN

PreventConnect

Disability Justice, Violence Prevention, and Abolitionism Curriculum

My Rights My Life

Barbra Grimmer and Shellie Ryan--TCFV CPS Policy Team--join Sarah and William this week to talk about Barbra's and Shellie's partnership and the greater collaboration between the domestic violence advocacy and child welfare systems. They discuss their learning journeys, including successes and pitfalls. Together they all reflect on the issues which arise at the intersection of these two, oftentimes very different, systems.

If you have any questions or want to discuss this topic further, please reach out to us at prevention@tcfv.org.

To learn more about Safe and Together or to attend one of their trainings, go to https://safeandtogetherinstitute.com/.

Here are two resources specific to the partnership of child welfare and domestic violence advocacy in Texas:

https://www.dfps.state.tx.us/handbooks/CPS/Resource_Guides/Domestic_Violence_Resource_Guide.pdf
https://www.dfps.state.tx.us/handbooks/CPS/Resource_Guides/Disposition_Guidelines_for_Domestic_Violence_Resource_Guide.pdf

Why is the transition from high school to college so important? This is a critical time in young people's lives which provides an amazing opportunity for growth, learning, and relationship building. How can prevention workers, advocates, and other adults maximize this time period to help young people smoothly begin their transitions into adulthood? Sarah and William welcome Hamza Iqbal and Tiffany Storm to discuss all of these things and more. Listen along as they follow this particular rabbit hole's path.

If you have any questions about the episode or want to offer additional thoughts, please reach out to us at prevention@tcfv.org.

Vanessa Baum joins Sarah and William this week to talk about the YA--young adult--genre. They discuss why and how this genre is valuable and why so many people get shamed for enjoying it. They consider how YA books, shows, and movies can be used by adults to better engage young people about challenging topics and to reflect on their own adolescent experiences.

To support the Quileute tribe's "Move to Higher Ground" campaign visit https://mthg.org/.

To further the conversation about YA media with us, contact us at prevention@tcfv.org.

Jen Lawson is an Assistant Principal at a high school outside of Texas. She joins Sarah and William this week to talk about the school to prison pipeline--a term that describes the increasing prevalence of schools becoming the settings of young people's first interaction with the law enforcement, criminal justice, and juvenile detention systems. Jen, Sarah, and William share their thoughts on what factors might contribute to this pipeline and hypothesize some possible solutions.

If you are interested in furthering this conversation, please reach out to prevention@tcfv.org.

You can learn more about the school to prison pipeline with these resources:

NAACP's Legal Defense Fund: https://www.naacpldf.org/wp-content/uploads/Dismantling_the_School_to_Prison_Pipeline__Criminal-Justice__.pdf

National Education Association: https://www.nea.org/advocating-for-change/new-from-nea/school-prison-pipeline-time-shut-it-down

Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund: https://dredf.org/legal-advocacy/school-to-prison-pipeline/

ACLU: https://www.aclu.org/issues/juvenile-justice/school-prison-pipeline?redirect=racial-justice/what-school-prison-pipeline