Episode 220: Post-Separation Abuse and The Failure of the Family Court System with Zawn Villines

Zawn Villines returns to the show this week. Together we explore how men use the family court system to continue to abuse women. Zawn shares the harrowing story of Caroline Youseff Kassenoff, who experienced post-separation abuse in its most extreme form and who the family court system failed horribly. We discussed Kayden’s Law, double standards around mental health and infidelity, and how to quietly quit your marriage if you simply can’t leave.

Zawn Villines is a feminist activist and writer who focuses on misogyny in motherhood and marriage. Her work argues that mothers are central to the feminist project and that fathers must participate equally in household and parenting labor. She believes that inequality in marriage is a primary driver of sexism and limits women's lives and futures. 

Featured topics include:

DARVO and how it plays into coercive control and post-separation abuse within family courts (15:48)

The double standard around mental health and infidelity between men and women (19:57(

Why men must hear, “Being an extraordinary husband gets you an extraordinary wife. It gets you a better life.” (31:40)

“Marriage is a huge and dangerous gamble that is not worth undertaking for most women.” (35:11)

Quiet quitting: If you can’t leave, how can you still make a meaningful life? (35:35)

Kids know what is happening and eventually discover the truth - there often is justice down the line. (50:20)

Learn more about Zawn Villines:

Zawn Villines is a feminist activist and writer who focuses on misogyny in motherhood and marriage. Her work argues that mothers are central to the feminist project, and that fathers must participate equally in household and parenting labor. She believes that inequality in marriage is a primary driver of sexism, and that it limits women's lives and futures. Inequality at home is a form of abuse, and Zawn teaches women to push back on this unacceptable treatment and claim their rightful place in the family, at work, and in their communities.  

Her weekly Feminist Advice Friday series advises people about how to live better and more just lives and how to use their relationships as pathways to liberation and joy.  

Outside of her activism, Zawn has written full-time about science, medicine, politics, and the law for two decades. She writes a weekly reproductive justice column and runs a nonprofit childbirth justice organization. 

She hopes to see more mothers claim the power and dignity of motherhood and end notions of mothers as irrelevant. Mothers are raising the next generation of resistance.  

Resources & Links: Information and links may also be found at: https://kateanthony.com/podcast/episode-220-post-separation-abuse-and-the-failure-of-the-family-court-system-with-zawn-villines/

Zawn’s website Zawn on Facebook Zawn on Instagram Subscribe to Zawn’s newsletter!988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline‘Do not let my demise be in vain,’ Jess Taylor 

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