In this episode, we're joined by psychotherapist Tami Murray, owner of Diversity Counselling in Oxford County, for an important conversation about the intersection of military service, PTSD, and gender-based violence.

Drawing on her extensive experience supporting veterans and their families, Tami helps us explore the unique challenges that can arise when trauma comes home. We discuss how PTSD may influence relationship dynamics, why it can be difficult for both veterans and their partners to recognize when something isn't right, and how gender-based violence can develop within this complex context.

This conversation also emphasizes that while trauma can help explain certain behaviours, it does not excuse abuse. Tami shares practical guidance for veterans, spouses, and loved ones navigating these challenges, along with a wealth of resources available for those seeking support.

Resources & Support:

Veterans Affairs Canada:

1) Talk to a mental health professional: https://www.veterans.gc.ca/en/contact-us/talk-mental-health-professional

Phone: 1-800-268-7708

2) Family Information Line (FIL)

Toll-free number: 1-800-866-4546

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://cfmws.ca/support-services/family-information-line

3) Operational Stress Injury Clinics

Website: https://www.veterans.gc.ca/en/mental-and-physical-health/mental-health-and-wellness/assessment-and-treatment/osi-clinics

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, a stay-at-home mom shares that she has no access to household finances, doesn't know how money is being spent, and must ask permission before making purchases. Is this simply how some families manage their finances, or could it be a form of financial abuse?

In this Reddit Reactions episode, staff from DASO and Ingamo Homes unpack the warning signs of financial abuse, the difference between budgeting and control, and why financial transparency matters in healthy relationships. Together, we explore how power can show up in unexpected ways and what support is available for those who may be experiencing coercive or controlling behaviours.

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 Melissa Gibson from MHEART to unpack what this often-misunderstood team actually does and why it matters.

MHEART (Mental Health and Emergency Response Team) is a specialized team that pairs mental health professionals with police officers to respond to crisis situations in our community. Together, they aim to provide more compassionate, appropriate support to individuals experiencing mental health crises.

Melissa walks us through how MHEART operates on the ground, who they serve, and what happens when they’re called to a scene. We also dig into some of the biggest misconceptions about the program and how its approach differs from traditional emergency responses.

This conversation offers a clearer picture of the realities behind crisis response, the gaps MHEART is helping to fill, and why collaborative, community-based models are so important right now.

Resources & Support:

Learn More - Woodstock Police MHEART: https://woodstockpolice.ca/specialized-units/mental-health-engagement-and-response-team-mheart/

Learn More - Canadian Mental Health Association - Oxford MHEART: https://cmhatv.ca/find-help/mobile-crisis-response/

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: https://ingamohomes.com/

Follow us on Instagram: @canwetalkaboutthat

Happy Pride Month 🌈

In this episode, we’re joined by Tami Murray, psychotherapist, owner of Diversity Counselling, and former founder and president of Oxford Pride, for an important and often under-discussed conversation on gender-based violence in 2SLGBTQ+ relationships.

Drawing on decades of experience supporting queer individuals and building community in Oxford County, Tami helps unpack what GBV can look like beyond heteronormative frameworks. We talk about how abuse shows up in queer relationships, the unique barriers survivors face when seeking support, and the myths that can prevent people from recognizing harm.

While Pride is a time to celebrate identity, community, and progress, it’s also a time to hold space for the realities that still exist. In this episode, we explore not only interpersonal violence, but also the broader systemic harms - how stigma, discrimination, and structural inequities continue to impact 2SLGBTQ+ communities.

This conversation is about expanding our understanding of GBV, challenging assumptions, and making space for voices and experiences that are too often left out.

Resources & Support:

Oxford Pride Website: https://oxfordpride.ca/

Oxford Pride Printable Guides: https://oxfordpride.ca/printable-guides/

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 starts as a “perfect” new relationship takes a sudden and terrifying turn—when a woman shares that her partner began strangling her during sex… without consent, without warning, and without stopping when she asked him to.

She’s left shaken, confused, and scared, trying to make sense of how someone she liked could cross such a serious line.

In this episode, we unpack:
• What this kind of experience actually is (and isn’t)
• Why strangulation is never “just sex”
• The real risks and long-term impacts
• What support and next steps can look like

This isn’t about judging, it’s about understanding, safety, and making sure people have the information they need to recognize harm and get support.

If something feels off, it matters. And you deserve to feel safe.

Resources & Support:Learn more and follow our Strangulation Prevention Campaign: https://dartoxford.ca/strangulation/ @oxforddartSt. Joseph's Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Treatment ProgramWebsite: https://www.sjhc.london.on.ca/areas-of-care/sexual-assault-and-domestic-violence-treatment-programPhone: 519 646-6100 ext. 64224Oxford Sexual Assault Services (OSAS)Website: https://oxchc.ca/homepage/services/oxford-sexual-assault-services-osas/Cell Phone: 226.232.6149 (call or text)Email: [email protected] 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’re joined by Annyse Alcock, a nurse with the Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Program at St. Joseph’s Health Care London, to unpack the realities of strangulation—an often misunderstood and highly dangerous form of violence.Together, we explore:- The serious and sometimes delayed health risks of strangulation- Why strangulation is a key indicator of escalating violence- Common myths and misconceptions- What medical care and support can look like after an incident- The specialized services offered through St. Joseph’s Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence ProgramThis conversation is part of our ongoing effort to raise awareness about gender-based violence and provide clear, accessible information to our community.Link to timeline from our conversation: https://www.allianceforhope.org/training-institute-on-strangulation-prevention/resources/physiological-consequences-of-strangulation-seconds-to-minute-timeline-2Resources & Support:Learn more and follow our Strangulation Prevention Campaign: https://dartoxford.ca/strangulation/ @oxforddartSt. Joseph's Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Treatment ProgramWebsite: https://www.sjhc.london.on.ca/areas-of-care/sexual-assault-and-domestic-violence-treatment-programPhone: 519 646-6100 ext. 64224Oxford Sexual Assault Services (OSAS)Website: https://oxchc.ca/homepage/services/oxford-sexual-assault-services-osas/Cell Phone: 226.232.6149 (call or text)Email: [email protected] 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 during a “rape kit”? And how do you access one if you live in Oxford County?In this episode, we sit down with registered nurse Annyse Alcock from the Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Treatment Program at St. Joseph’s Health Care London to answer the questions most people are afraid to ask. While many people know them as “rape kits,” the professional term is sexual assault and domestic violence evidence kits—and they’re used in more situations than you might think.From what the exam looks like, to how long you have to get one, to what your options are—this conversation breaks it all down in a clear, honest, and supportive way.Whether you’re curious, supporting someone, or just want to understand the process better, this episode helps take the fear and mystery out of it.Resources & Support:St. Joseph's Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Treatment ProgramWebsite: https://www.sjhc.london.on.ca/areas-of-care/sexual-assault-and-domestic-violence-treatment-programPhone: 519 646-6100 ext. 64224Oxford Sexual Assault Services (OSAS)Website: https://oxchc.ca/homepage/services/oxford-sexual-assault-services-osas/Cell Phone: 226.232.6149 (call or text)Email: [email protected] 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 Alex, to share her powerful story of healing, self-trust, and rediscovery.Alex opens up about what it felt like to be disconnected from her intuition and how a turning point came when a blood test confirmed that something wasn’t right. That moment became the catalyst for a deeper journey: learning to reconnect with her body, trust her gut, and develop new tools for navigating her life.We also explore how early experiences shaped patterns like people-pleasing, and how those patterns contributed to her experiences in abusive relationships. Through the support of trusted friends and compassionate professionals, Alex began to rewrite her story, learning to set boundaries, rebuild her sense of self, and recognize that she deserves more.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 registered nurses Jacqueline Forget and Emily Robertson from the iHEAL program, which supports individuals who have experienced intimate partner violence across Oxford County, Elgin County, and St. Thomas.

Through a trauma- and violence-informed approach, iHEAL helps survivors move beyond crisis and toward long-term healing, safety, and stability. Jacqueline and Emily share what this work looks like on the ground—how they build trust with clients, support both physical and emotional health, and walk alongside survivors as they rebuild their lives.

We also explore the unique role of healthcare in responding to gender-based violence, the importance of collaboration across sectors, and what communities need to better support survivors.

This conversation offers an inside look at compassionate, survivor-centered care—and the impact it can have when systems work together.

Resources & Support:

Learn more about the iHEAL program: https://www.swpublichealth.ca/my-health/iheal-program/

iHEAL Referral Form: https://app.swpublichealth.ca/Forms/lVHmP

iHEAL app: https://ihealapp.ca/en/

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 sit down with Patricia Marshal‑DeSutter, founder of Building the Fire (formerly the Indigenous Solidarity and Awareness Network).Patricia shares about the work Building the Fire is doing to support Indigenous communities, raise awareness, and foster meaningful solidarity in the movement to end violence against Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two‑Spirit People (MMIWG2S+). Together, we explore what it means to move beyond awareness toward real action, centering Indigenous leadership, accountability, and community care.This conversation invites listeners to reflect on their role in supporting justice, truth, and safety for Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people, and highlights practical ways communities can walk alongside Indigenous advocates in solidarity.

Links from our conversation:

Building the Fire - Facebook Pagehttps://www.facebook.com/IISANnetwork/

Mourning 215 Indigenous Children https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/maple-leaf/defence/2021/06/mourning-canadas-215-indigenous-children.html

Calls for Justice https://www.mmiwg-ffada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Calls_for_Justice.pdf

Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Actionhttps://nctr.ca/about/history-of-the-trc/truth-and-reconciliation-commission-of-canada-calls-to-action/

Patricia's Specific Sector Recommendations:https://docs.google.com/document/d/1s952BrZXmwqcRVIAK-W7lJ_83mWNQaeog7XyGXv1OuE/edit?usp=drivesdk

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