We're getting ready for our annual Town Hall! Join William and Roy, along with special guests Gloria Aguilera Terry, our CEO, and Tommi Vincent, a thought leader and passionate advocate, to hear more about this year's Town Hall. We will talk about some of the journeys we've been on with this work, what kitchen gadgets are a must-have, we'll hear about the incredible initiatives Tommi has undertaken, and what it's like serving as a board chair for the National Domestic Violence Hotline. Together, we delve into deeper discussion on the inception of Town Hall, how the Honoring Texas Victims Report plays a significant role, the powerful impact the event carries, and what we’d love people to experience and walk away with after this year’s event. These conversations are a call to action. Listeners are encouraged to take what they learn and use it to drive the necessary change in their own lives and communities, helping them to ultimately thrive!

There are 140 days in every Texas Legislative Session, and it goes fast! Jennifer Mudge is the Public Policy Manager, and Molly Voyles is our Director of Public Policy at Texas Council on Family Violence. During this conversation, they join us to share what our policy team focuses on during the session, the systems that support their work, and how they measure the success of each legislative session, always keeping survivors at the heart. We unpack the experience of preparing survivors to testify and explore the particular successes of the most recent session, before discussing how a new task force will help to reduce the rate of family violence homicides in our state, and exploring how recent work on a Crime Victim Bill of Rights protects victims of family violence. We also discuss the upcoming 30-day special session and what our team will do to carry important bills forward to truly make an impact.  

Artificial intelligence is changing how we experience relationships, and not always for the better. In this episode, we are joined by guest Adam Dodge, founder of EndTAB (End Tech-Enabled Abuse), to unpack the growing role of AI and digital tools in gender-based violence and intimate relationships. EndTAB works with victim service providers and community organizations to help them confidently address and prevent technology-facilitated harm. Their work covers everything from image-based abuse and tech safety planning to digital breakups and healthy masculinity in the age of AI. Today’s conversation gets into the drawbacks and benefits of AI and how to navigate this rapidly changing landscape. We explore how AI companions are influencing relationships, how AI is hypersexualizing girls and women, the impact of algorithm-driven misogyny on young boys, and the need for emotional literacy in both kids and adults. Adam also shares practical steps for advocates and parents to support young people to help them safely navigate these technologies. Join us for this essential conversation on safety, consent, awareness, and what it means to build real relationships in the era of AI. 

This episode explores topics of homophobia and identity-based violence. Please listen with care.Happy Pride!

Today is all about being an LGBTQIA+ parent and parenting LGBTQIA+ kids. We are joined by Sam, a father of two, and an advocate at Safer Path Family Violence Shelter and by Lucas, the Director of Development for The Delores Project and father of three. Join us as we get into our main discussion by unpacking queer identities and how they inform how we show up at work and at home. We talk about how Pride support differs in smaller communities compared to larger ones, the effects of social media on queer identities, and the pressures of being an influential LGBTQIA+ voice or community leader. We also learn how to approach uncomfortable conversations, how to set boundaries with your kids and other family members and why leading with love is the best way to support queer youth and those struggling with their identities. Finally, Sam and Lucas describe how their jobs and skills in advocacy help them better navigate difficult conversations while exploring the importance of creating safe and secure healing spaces for the Pride community.

Resources: Family Acceptance Project - San Francisco State UniversityNo One Taught Me How to Be a ManThe Delores Project

This episode involves discussions of sensitive topics, including domestic violence. Please take care of yourself as you listen. If you need to take a break, please do so.

What does it mean to be a protective parent, especially while navigating trauma, abuse, or the child welfare system? In this episode of Down the Rabbit Hole, Samantha and Tracie are joined by Barbra Grimmer, a policy coordinator with years of experience in both domestic violence advocacy and child welfare. Together, they explore how the definition of protective parenting has evolved beyond checklists and rigid standards, and how survivors are often judged most harshly during their most vulnerable moments. They examine the scrutiny placed on mothers in shelter, the conflicting demands of CPS and family courts, and the deep flaws in "failure to protect" policies. Tune in for a powerful episode on parenting, resilience, and reimagining how systems respond to survivors!

What happens when healthcare and the criminal justice system intersect? In this episode of Down the Rabbit Hole, William, Samantha, and Tracie dive into the world of forensic nursing in recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Joined by forensic nursing specialists Karen Carroll and Kalen Knight from the International Association of Forensic Nursing (IAFN), they explore the critical role that forensic nurses play in patient advocacy, evidence collection, and legal proceedings. The conversation highlights the importance of trauma-informed care, the wide-ranging responsibilities of forensic nurses beyond sexual assault cases, and the ethical and legal challenges they navigate daily. You’ll also discover how forensic nurses contribute to justice by bridging the gap between medicine and law. Whether you're a healthcare professional, legal expert, a survivor of violence and trauma, or simply curious about the unseen heroes of the medical world, be sure to tune in for an eye-opening look at a profoundly important profession dedicated to care, compassion, and accountability! 

This episode involves discussions of sensitive topics, including sexual assault, death, and domestic violence. Please take care of yourself as you listen. If you need to take a break, feel free to do so. You can always return to the podcast whenever you're ready. 

IAFN Website: https://www.forensicnurses.org/

IAFN Foundation: https://fundforensicnursing.org/

SAFEta Resource Page: https://www.safeta.org/

This episode explores the many ways that coercive control is used by unpacking scenarios of intimate partner violence and other forms of abuse. Please listen with care and take breaks as needed.

Coercive control is a destructive force that’s embedded in all aspects of relationship violence, but many do not understand what it is and how their lives are impacted by it. To help expose the inner workings of coercive control, TCFV's Prevention team is joined today by Josephine, an advocate and survivor to raise awareness of the many ways coercive control can show up. We learn about her journey with coercive control and how she broke free from it, why great support systems matter, how coercive control plays out in reproductive coercion and other nuances, and how the legal system can sometimes cause harm to survivors.

Resources from this episode:

Framed: Women in the Family Court Underworld 

Texas Council on Family Violence (TCFV) 

https://www.thehotline.org/ 

Coercive Control in Children's and Mothers' Lives 

Reproductive Coercion: Connecting the Dots Between Partner Violence and Unintended Pregnancy 

Reproductive Abuse and Coercion 

Reproductive coercion and abuse in intimate relationships: Women’s perceptions of perpetrator motivations 

Young people are essential to the future of advocacy and social justice, but how do we create meaningful opportunities for them to engage? In this episode of Down the Rabbit Hole, Samantha, William, and Tracie are joined by TCFV interns Mishal Ali and Veronika Croan to explore youth involvement in the movement to end domestic violence and promote social change. They dive into the challenges young people face when trying to get involved, including organizational hesitancy and lack of awareness, and share creative outreach strategies that make engagement more accessible. The conversation highlights the power of mentorship, the importance of social media as a recruitment tool, and how organizations can align their messaging with their mission to foster an inclusive and empowering culture for youth. Whether you’re an organization looking to better engage youth or a young person eager to make a difference, this episode is packed with valuable insights. Tune in to learn how to break down barriers, cultivate young leaders, and ensure that youth voices aren’t just included but heard and valued! 

Trigger Warning: This episode discusses sensitive topics, including sex trafficking, child abuse, labor trafficking, and domestic violence. Please listen with care.  

What does human trafficking really look like in our communities and how can we play a role in prevention? In this powerful episode of Down the Rabbit Hole, we are joined by Ada McCloud, a prevention practitioner with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. In our conversation, Ada sheds light on the complex realities of human trafficking and ways the public can help prevent it. She debunks common human trafficking myths, explains key definitions, and unpacks the importance of building protective factors for vulnerable people. Gain insights into how systemic vulnerabilities contribute to trafficking, how community-focused actions can create meaningful change, and the unseen dynamics of trafficking. Ada also sheds light on actionable ways to support survivors and promote accountability in our communities. Tune in and discover how you can help create safer communities for everyone.

As the holiday season approaches, creating trauma-informed spaces is more important than ever. In this episode, William and Tracie are joined by Diane Bocklage, Family Violence Services Manager at TCFV, to discuss how the ReCentered Project helps domestic violence organizations prioritize wellness for survivors and staff alike. By fostering environments of trust, support, and emotional care, ReCentering ensures that trauma-informed practices extend beyond direct services, promoting long-term healing and sustainable wellbeing for everyone involved. You’ll learn how the ReCentered Project empowers centers to make survivor-centered changes, such as revising policies, enhancing staff support, and improving program structures. This also includes offering staff wellness programs, creating supportive environments that reduce burnout, and ensuring that trauma-informed care is not only practiced with survivors but also within the staff culture. By promoting a holistic approach to wellbeing, ReCentering helps organizations build sustainable, compassionate systems that address both immediate needs and long-term healing. Tune in to learn more about how this process is shaping safer, more inclusive spaces!