“Often just saying it out loud can help a victim-survivor understand that what they've been subjected to is not okay”
In this powerful episode of Law & Order: Glitter Unit, Megan is joined by Rebecca Johnston-Ryan, Principal of Johnston Ryan Legal and host of the Your Legal Big Sister podcast, to discuss the many forms family violence can take, and the first steps towards safety and support.
Beck shares the journey that led her to specialise in family violence law, and unpacks what ‘family violence’ really means, going beyond physical harm to include the emotional, economic and controlling behaviours that undermine confidence, distort reality and lead victim‑survivors to question their own judgement.
Megan and Beck discuss the barriers that delay people from seeking help, why victim-survivors often fear they won’t be believed, and how documenting incidents can help cut through gaslighting to make sense of what’s really going on. Beck shares how she supports victim-survivors on first contact, building trust and listening to their story to plan a safe way forward, one step at a time.
The conversation also covers the basics of intervention and protection orders in plain language, and the vital role of support networks in moving towards safety and stability, while Beck speaks candidly on the psychological toll of doing such heavy work and the self-care practices that allow her to continue to show up for her clients.
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