In today’s Reddit Reactions episode, we dive into a heartbreaking relationship story shared by a woman who becomes seriously ill and ends up in the hospital for a week. Instead of getting the support she needs, she’s met with distance, defensiveness, and signs of emotional abuse she can no longer ignore.We also explore the bigger picture: her partner recently lost his job, may be struggling with depression, and the hospital stay seems to expose deeper issues that have been building in their relationship for a long time.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

This episode features Jerry Acchione, the City of Woodstock's Mayor, who opens up about his childhood living with an abusive father and the strength it took for his mother to seek safety for their family. At just 11 years old, Jerry entered a women’s shelter with his mom and siblings—an experience that would change the course of his life. Jerry talks about resilience, generational trauma, and the importance of supporting shelters and violence-prevention work in our communities.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’re joined by Tim Kelly, past Manager of the Family Violence and Counselling Program with the Children’s Aid Society, and a long-time leader in supporting families impacted by abuse.

Tim helps unpack a crucial reality: abuse in relationships is never just a partner problem—it directly affects parenting, children’s wellbeing, and the overall safety of the home.

We discuss how abusive behaviours can show up in fatherhood, the lasting impact on children, and why meaningful accountability is essential for change.

Links from our Conversation:

Childhood Trauma and ACES https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/24875-adverse-childhood-experiences-ace

ACES Score Test (pdf)

https://www.acesaware.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/ACE-Questionnaire-for-Adults-Identified-English-rev.7.26.22.pdf

Caring Dads/Family Violence Counselling Program

https://www.casoxford.on.ca/family-violence-counselling/#:~:text=The%20Caring%20Dads%20Program%20is,to%20abuse%20of%20their%20mother.

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

Children's Aid Society Oxford

Website: https://www.casoxford.on.ca/

Follow us on Instagram: @canwetalkaboutthat

In this episode, we sit down with consultant and advocate Marianne Park-Ruffin for an honest and eye-opening conversation about the intersection of disability and gender-based violence. Marianne offers both lived and professional insight into how people with disabilities experience GBV, the unique vulnerabilities they face, and the barriers that often prevent them from accessing support.Together, we explore what inclusive services should look like, how organizations can better respond, and why accessibility must be central in the fight to end GBV. This is a powerful and important conversation for anyone working in social services, advocacy, or community care.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 moving episode, we sit down with Tajay, a survivor of gender-based violence, who shares her story with honesty, courage, and grace. Tajay takes us through her journey — from surviving abuse to rebuilding her life, reclaiming her voice, and rediscovering who she is beyond what she’s endured.

Together, we talk about what life after leaving really looks like — the quiet strength it takes to heal, the uncertainty of new relationships, and the beauty of learning to love yourself again. Tajay reflects on the process of finding out what she likes, who she wants to be, and how she’s learned to navigate the world on her own terms.

This conversation is about more than survival — it’s about identity, freedom, and the ongoing work of healing. It’s raw, real, and deeply inspiring.

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 sit down with Amy Maddess, who previously served as the Domestic Assault Resource Team (DART) Coordinator for Oxford County, to talk about the ongoing work to prevent femicide and the critical importance of recognizing and responding to strangulation as a serious risk factor for lethality in intimate partner violence.Together, we unpack what femicide means, why strangulation is often a predictor of escalating violence, and what communities and service providers can do to better identify warning signs and intervene early. Amy shares insights from her experience coordinating Oxford County’s DART network, and we discuss what real prevention looks like — from collaboration to community awareness.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.comDomestic Abuse Resource Team (DART) OxfordWebsite: https://dartoxford.ca/Follow us on Instagram: @canwetalkaboutthat

What happens when care crosses the line into control? In this episode, we’re joined by Margaret McPherson, a research associate for the Centre for Research and Education on Violence Against Women and Children at Western University.

Together, we explore how patterns of power and control can appear in caregiving relationships, the warning signs of financial, emotional, and physical abuse, and what it means to support older adults with dignity, autonomy, and safety.

Whether you work with seniors, support a loved one, or simply want to understand this hidden form of violence, this conversation will help you recognize when care turns controlling — and what we can all do to prevent it.

Links from this episode: Julie Diamond's book - Power: A User's Guide https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/power-a-u...Peter Seng's book - Presence: Human Purpose and the Field of the Future

https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/presence-human-purpose-and-the-field-of-the-future/9780385516303.html

It's Not Right: Neighbours Friends and Families for Older Adults

https://eapon.ca/projects/its-not-right-neighbours-friends-and-families/ Elgin-Oxford Legal Clinic

https://www.eolc.ca/

Resources: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

How do we actually say what we mean—and hear what others are really saying—in our relationships? In this episode, Joanna Parker joins us to unpack what healthy communication looks like, how to navigate conflict without losing connection, and why clear, compassionate conversations are essential for building safer and more respectful relationships.Whether you’re trying to set boundaries, repair trust, or just communicate better day to day, this episode offers practical tools and insight to help you do it with care and confidence.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

This week’s Reddit Reaction episode is a wild one.I bring back Brooke McCoy, Natasha McMillan, and Czarina Garcia to unpack a real post where a woman gets an unexpected knock at her door — from her neighbour — asking her to dress more modestly in her own home because her husband keeps watching her clean through the window...We dig into what’s really going on here: gender-based violence culture, victim blaming, the way women are pitted against each other, and how society still protects creepy men over women’s comfort and safety.Tune in for an honest (and sometimes hilarious) breakdown of this all-too-real story.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, I sit down with OPP Detective Lisa Narancsik to explore what happens when someone reports sexual assault. We talk about how police support survivors, what to expect during the process, and how trust is built between communities and law enforcement.Lisa offers an inside look at trauma-informed policing, common misconceptions about reporting, and how survivors can make informed choices about whether and how to come forward.This honest, compassionate conversation sheds light on the challenges and changes happening within policing, and what it takes to create safety and accountability for everyone.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.comOxford Sexual Assault Services (OSAS)Website: https://oxchc.ca/homepage/services/oxford-sexual-assault-services-osas/Phone (call or text): 226-232-6149Follow us on Instagram: @canwetalkaboutthat