Domestic violence is rarely as simple — or as obvious — as people expect it to be.

In this special Wildcide interview episode, Bailey and Chelsea sit down with domestic violence expert and therapist Jennifer Salmons for an honest, deeply practical conversation about how abusive relationships actually develop, why victims stay, and what outsiders often misunderstand about abuse dynamics.

Moving beyond headlines and true crime narratives, Jennifer draws from decades of frontline experience working not only with survivors, but also directly with domestic violence offenders. Together, the conversation explores how abuse typically begins long before physical violence appears, the behavioral patterns that signal escalating control, and the psychological and social factors that can make someone vulnerable to remaining in a harmful relationship.

The discussion breaks down common myths — including the belief that abuse is always obvious, that apologies signal real change, or that leaving is simply a matter of willpower. Jennifer explains the stages of abuse, the role of manipulation and intimidation, and why safety planning with trained domestic violence professionals is often critical when someone decides to leave.

This conversation shifts the focus from crime stories to prevention, awareness, and understanding — offering insight for survivors, loved ones, and anyone wanting to better recognize the realities of domestic violence.

Beginning as a volunteer and advocate on a domestic violence hotline in Charleston, Illinois in the early 1990s, Jennifer Salmons went on to develop three domestic violence offender intervention programs over the course of her career. During the 1990s, she created two offender programs in Illinois operating in compliance with the protocols and standards of the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence to ensure accountable and effective intervention.

In 2000, she brought her expertise in offender programming and coalition-based standards to Kansas City, Missouri, where she developed the first domestic violence offender program in the area. She later served as a board member of the Missouri Coalition Against Domestic Violence and contributed to the statewide committee responsible for developing Missouri’s standards and program protocols for domestic violence offender treatment.

Throughout her career, Jennifer has provided extensive training to law enforcement, prosecutors, hospitals, advocates, and court professionals, strengthening coordinated community responses and advancing system-wide accountability in addressing domestic violence.

If you'd like to contact Jennifer directly, email her: [email protected]

Domestic Violence Resources: 

If you or someone you know may be experiencing domestic violence, confidential support is available 24/7.

National Domestic Violence Hotline

StrongHearts Native Helpline (for Native American and Alaska Native survivors)

National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (NRCDV)

National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV)

RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network)

Local Services Directory

Emergency Assistance