What if the most dangerous form of abuse leaves no physical marks? Join us as we sit down with Ellen Schwartz and Maliha Janjua from Women Aware to uncover the dark reality of coercive control, a form of domestic violence that instills fear and isolates victims without physical assault. As New Jersey pioneers legal changes to recognize this insidious abuse, we dive into the controversies these laws spark, including concerns about judicial understanding. Ellen and Maliha bring a wealth of knowledge from both legal and social work perspectives, emphasizing the importance of recognizing coercive control's pervasive presence in domestic violence cases.

Our conversation takes a poignant turn as we shine a light on how domestic violence affects children. Abusers often use children as pawns to manipulate and control their partners, leaving long-lasting impacts on young lives. Drawing from their experiences at Women Aware, Ellen and Maliha share the various tactics abusers employ to exploit the court system and interfere with children's therapy. We discuss the complexities survivors face even after breaking free from abusive relationships and offer strategies for safety planning to help them regain control and protect their families.

Recovery from domestic violence is a challenging journey that requires a strong support system. We explore the transformative role of creative arts and trauma-focused therapies in helping children process trauma, and stress the need for finding the right therapists and legal advocates who understand domestic violence dynamics. By highlighting innovative models like the Family Justice Center, we showcase a coordinated community response that offers comprehensive support to survivors. This episode serves as a reminder of the power of community and the ongoing need for trauma-informed care and legal advocacy to help survivors rebuild their lives.