Episode nineteen of the second season of the Podcast on Crimes Against Women concludes our four-part series on faith responses to domestic violence and sexual assault with chaplain, educator, writer, public speaker, Publications Commitee Chair for the Jewish Women International's Clergy Task Force on Domestic Abuse, and Rabbi of Bethlehem Hebrew Congregation, Rabbi Donna Kirshbaum. In this episode, Rabbi Kirshbaum discusses Judaism's response to domestic violence and the sexual assault of women and how it has shifted over time, how the patriarchal element of Judaism has shaped the conversation of DV, and what changes she would like to see made in the future to help survivors of DV in Jewish communities. Rabbi Kirshbaum then examines the historical and generational trauma within Judaism related to the Holocaust, anti-Semitism and violence against Jewish people, and how they all may have an influence on the occurrence/response/prevention of DV across the Jewish community.

Episode eighteen of the second season of the Podcast on Crimes Against Women continues our four-part series on faith responses to domestic violence and sexual assault with award-winning author, motivational speaker, media personality and pastor, Dr. Renee Hornbuckle. Dr. Hornbuckle discusses the Evangelical Church's response to domestic violence and the sexual assault of women, her process when approached by parishioners seeking help from domestic violence, and the changes being made in the conversation around DV within the church. Dr. Hornbuckle then examines the history of trauma within the Christian community of churches, understanding the patriarchal element of Christianity and how it shapes the conversation around DV, and how she sees the need for change as a call to action regarding DV in the faith community.

Episode seventeen of the second season of the Podcast on Crimes Against Women continues our four-part series on faith responses to domestic violence and sexual assault with Imam Omar Suleiman, Founder and President of the Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research and a professor of Islamic Studies at Southern Methodist University. Imam Suleiman examines the Islamic faith’s view of domestic violence and how this has changed over time, how Islam speaks about domestic violence in its teachings, and what is being done about addressing this issue more directly with other Islamic leaders and followers. Imam Suleiman then goes on to discuss the reactions he receives on his work from other faith officials in the Islamic community, how the patriarchal element of this religion shapes the conversation of DV within Islam, and the changes he would like to see in the future to the approach or conversation around DV within Islam.

Episode 16 of the second season of the Podcast on Crimes Against Women welcomes Father Charles Dahm (Fr. Chuck), a Dominican priest and the Director of the Archdiocese of Chicago's Domestic Violence Outreach, launching a 4-part series on faith responses to domestic violence and sexual assault. For over 20 years, Fr. Chuck has worked with Catholic parishes, congregations, seminarians, faith leaders, community organizations and many others on the importance of awareness about domestic violence and sexual assault, providing direct services to survivors, and conducting programs of prevention. In this discussion, we dive into the program he created to address domestic violence in inner-city Chicago, who it helps, and the need for more programs of its kind in faith communities across the country.

Episode fifteen of the second season of the Podcast on Crimes Against Women welcomes Major Hali Picciano. In this standalone episode, Major Picciano discusses her work as an advocate for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence, shares her own personal story about being a survivor of domestic violence, and delves into the subject of domestic violence in our military. Major Picciano then explores how she hopes our current presidential administration will arise to prevent and address sexual violence in the military, how it looks when a victim of sexual assault who is active in the military reports that crime, and how COVID has affected her life, work and plans for the future. 

Episode fourteen of the second season of the Podcast on Crimes Against Women welcomes advocate, author, life coach, and motivational speaker, Lavinia Masters. In this standalone episode, Lavinia shares her emotional journey dealing with childhood sexual abuse and rape, eventually discovering and implementing seven steps to her true empowerment after sexual trauma through prayer and supplication. Lavinia then discusses the important piece of legislation that bears her name, House Bill 8, the Lavinia Masters Act, and the process of moving this Act through legislature and getting it all the way to the Governor's desk. Finally, Lavinia expounds on her continuing work within the anti-sexual assault movement as a survivor, her expectations for rape kit processing and rape investigation pursuance in the future, and what compelled her to publish her book, A Twist of Hope, which shares her personal story with the world.

Episode thirteen of the second season of the Podcast on Crimes Against Women wraps up our domestic violence series with the Honorable Roberto Cañas, currently in private practice at the law firm of Lisa E. McKnight P.C., and former presiding judge of County Criminal Court #10 in Dallas County. In this episode, Judge Cañas discusses the many different types of abuse that occur in the courtroom, shares previous experiences he has had where abusers have attempted to weaponize the legal system, explores how the defense can aid in the process of litigation abuse, and delves into proposed bills that are currently being reviewed that will combat courtroom abuse. Finally, Judge Cañas expounds on how the current pandemic has shifted his work, and how he continues to work to educate victims so that they are able to circumvent the tactics of courtroom and legal system abuse. 

Episode twelve of the second season of the Podcast on Crimes Against Women continues our domestic violence series with the second of two episodes from Jan Langbein, Chief Executive Officer of Genesis Women's Shelter and Support. In this episode, Jan discusses the current model of emergency response for victims of domestic violence, possible alternatives to emergency shelter for victims, new innovations around emergent responses to domestic violence and how she reimagines the ideal response model for victims. Jan goes on to explore how she plans to implement such a plan, how law enforcement can play a role in such a vision, and what is planned for the future of Genesis Women's Shelter and Support.

Episode eleven of the second season of the Podcast on Crimes Against Women continues our domestic violence series with Dr. Scott Hampton, Director of Ending the Violence. In this episode, Dr. Hampton delves into his work on BIPP (Battering Intervention and Protection Programs). Dr. Hampton explains what attracted him to work with offenders of domestic violence, how he focuses on offenders taking accountability for their actions, and why it can also be important to learn about the offender despite the survivor being the individual forced to live through the trauma. Dr. Hampton then explores the mindsets of offenders, why they are violent toward women, and the differences in the mindsets of offenders of domestic violence, sexual abuse, and human trafficking. Finally, Dr. Hampton describes his work with Ending the Violence, the expectations of BIPP, and what are the limitations of what BIPP is able to accomplish.

Episode ten of the second season of the Podcast on Crimes Against Women continues our domestic violence series with Dr. Ramani Durvasula, licensed clinical psychologist, professor of psychology, and founder of LUNA (Learning/Understanding Narcissistic Abuse) Education, Training & Consulting, LLC. In this episode, Dr. Ramani expounds on the epidemic of narcissism. Dr. Ramani walks us through the mind of a narcissist and how to spot the red flags of narcissistic behavior, explains how narcissism can manifest in relationships, often leading to abuse and domestic violence, and shares how LUNA (Learning/Understanding Narcissistic Abuse) Education, Training & Consulting, LLC. offers consultative services and programs to address a range of issues linked to narcissism.