Dr. Shauna Moore Reynolds shares her professional and personal insight into Intimate Partner Violence, discussing how we can be advocates, ask questions to open the door to discussion, there are no predetermining factors that make you more likely to experience IPV, the shame on if, having the courage to leave, understanding it takes an average of 10 attempts to leave, not knowing what goes on behind closed doors, pedestals and perceived notions, heroes, making it look good on the outside, the skills of a manipulator, why women might stay, financial control, being broken, privileged perspective, the shame belongs to the abuser, you can't love somebody better, co-dependence, bad boy attraction, honeymoon stage as the hook, chasing the beginning/that first high, it takes two to make it work, an abuser's past isn't a get-out-of-jail-free card, don't make excuses for other's behavior, recognizing abuse, going back, the cycle of abuse, someone who doesn't socialize well, denoting subtle abuse as personality quirks, more training needed for authorities, patience with the abused (and patience is not the same as co-dependence), not limiting the amount of times you're willing to help, abuse is not addiction (tough love isn't needed), the octopus that has them, stop stigmatizing things that are out of your control, relationships are work not pain, getting help to heal, having the conversation with kids about what's healthy and what's abuse, having a trusted person, being better listeners (and better believers), what to do when you're ready to leave.

Resources for those in need:

Domestic Violence Support: https://www.thehotline.org/

What to do when you're ready to leave: https://www.domesticshelters.org/articles/escaping-violence/when-it-s-time-to-go-part-i

Escape checklist: https://www.mottchildren.org/health-library/te7754

Advice on what to do/take when you're leaving: https://www.boredpanda.com/leaving-abusive-partner-relationship-advice/

Episode recorded on 02/26/21

Episode released on 03/31/21

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Music: Shower Beer by GG Riggs