What happens when the legal system meant to protect survivors ends up criminalizing them?In this powerful and eye-opening conversation, we’re joined by Dr. Jenniffer Olenewa, who shares insights from her PhD research on the criminalization of women and survivors of gender-based violence.Together, we unpack the history of how survivors have been treated by the justice system, explore growing conversations around coercive control and the potential criminalization of femicide, and examine why these issues are far more complex than they might seem. From unintended consequences to difficult questions about justice, accountability, and protection, this episode challenges assumptions and invites deeper reflection.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 special episode, we’re celebrating a major milestone: the closing of our 2025 Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) Seed Grant for our Can We Talk About? project. We were honoured to welcome our local MPP, Ernie Hardeman, to join us for our Final Recognition Event — a moment to reflect on the impact of this work and to say a heartfelt thank you to OTF for their support.Together, we highlight what this funding made possible, the community partnerships that brought the project to life, and why investments like these matter for building safer, more resilient communities. This episode is a celebration of collaboration, progress, and the power of funding that supports meaningful, local change.

In this episode, we sit down with Tracey Marshall from Threat Management Matters (TMI) to unpack the realities of criminal harassment. What does it actually look like? Why is it so often misunderstood, minimized, or dismissed? And what are the real risks when it isn’t taken seriously?Together, we explore how criminal harassment impacts survivors, how it escalates, and why recognizing early warning signs is critical for prevention and safety. This conversation challenges common myths and highlights why stronger responses—from systems, communities, and individuals—are urgently needed.Links from our Conversation:Threat Management Mattershttps://threatmanagementmatters.ca/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

Consent is something many of us were never properly taught — yet its absence has lifelong impacts. In this episode, we’re joined by Brooke McCoy, Ingamo’s Child and Youth Worker, to explore how conversations about consent often fail young people, and what that silence can lead to as they grow into adulthood.Drawing from her frontline experience supporting children and youth impacted by gender-based violence, Brooke shares insight into what kids and teens are actually navigating today, the warning signs adults often miss, and how early, age-appropriate conversations can build confidence, boundaries, and safety. Together, we unpack how schools, families, coaches, and communities can play a role in creating healthier norms — and why prevention must start long before harm occurs.Resources & Support:Tea and Consent Videohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZwvrxVavnQDomestic 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

We’re wrapping up our 2025 Ontario Trillium Foundation grant and feeling incredibly grateful 💛

Good news — we’re not saying goodbye.

New podcast episodes will now drop every other Wednesday so we can keep these conversations going sustainably.

Thank you for being here. We can’t wait to share what’s next!

Feel free to put in the comments any topics or guests you have in mind for future episodes 👀

Many of us want to support survivors of gender-based violence—but we’re afraid of saying the wrong thing, or we don’t realize that our well-intentioned advice can actually cause harm. In this episode, Krystal Snider joins us to talk about what real support and advocacy look like beyond the phrase “just leave.” We discuss the complexities survivors navigate, the importance of listening and believing, and how friends, family, and community members can offer support that is safer, more respectful, and truly helpful.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 Tracey Marshall, founder of Threat Management Matters, to explore how risk is assessed in situations of gender-based violence. Drawing on her extensive experience in threat assessment and law enforcement, Tracey explains how professionals determine when a situation is becoming dangerous and what signs to watch for. We discuss practical strategies for survivors, allies, and service providers to recognize escalating risk and take steps to stay safe. This conversation offers crucial insight into understanding danger, making informed decisions, and supporting those affected by GBV.Links from our Conversation:Threat Management Mattershttps://threatmanagementmatters.ca/Ellen Pence, Power and Control Wheelhttps://powerandcontrolfilm.com/founders/ellen-pence/Renfrew Recommendationshttps://lukesplace.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/CKW-Inquest-Verdict-Recommendations-SIGNED_Redacted.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.comFollow us on Instagram: @canwetalkaboutthat

In this episode, we sit down with Sarah Ferguson from Oxford Sexual Assault Services (OSAS) to talk about one of the most difficult but important realities: sexual abuse that happens at the hands of friends, family members, and people we trust.Sarah helps us unpack why this type of harm is so often minimized or misunderstood, how grooming and trust-building play a role, and what survivors need in the aftermath.We also discuss how supporters can respond in trauma-informed, non-judgmental ways—and why believing survivors matters.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: [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 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