Unsilenced: Real Conversations About Abuse

Do you have questions about domestic violence that you want to ask but aren't sure if you should? A show on Netflix called You Can't Ask That encouraged people to anonymously ask victims taboo questions about domestic violence. JBWS volunteer Ninna Roco joins this episode of Unsilenced to discuss these controversial questions and provide insight into the dynamics of abuse. Resources: Are y...

"I don't like the way I've been treating my partner." To end domestic violence, we must normalize reflecting on our behavior and admitting when we make mistakes. Abusing your partner is a choice and there are tools, skills, programs, and services that can help people prevent these behaviors. Mary Jane McCarthy, JBWS' Professional Training Manager, joins this episode of Unsile...

Why do people abuse their partners or family members? What could cause a person to inflict harm on people they love? These are questions that anyone familiar with domestic violence has likely contemplated at some point. However, there is no universal answer to these questions. Not all people who use abuse have the same life experiences. Some may be mimicking the dynamic of their parents while othe...

A common belief in society is that you "stay together for the kids" but how does this narrative impact victims of abuse? In this mini episode, Robin Hughes, JBWS' Crisis Response Team manager, discusses the challenges facing victims of abuse who have children. Find the full episode here. Are you in an unhealthy relationship and living or working in Morris County, New Jersey? JBWS can help call our...

Suicide. It’s a topic that many people are hesitant to discuss. They may worry that broaching the subject might give someone the idea to end their life or they may choose to stay silent because they simply don’t know how to talk about it. But suicide is a real risk, particularly for those struggling with domestic violence. Jessica Testa, LAC,  a counselor at JBWS, joins this episode of Unsilenced:...

Twenty years ago, The Notebook debuted in theaters and people fell in love with the passionate, enduring relationship between Noah and Allie. Their intense, all-consuming devotion to each other shaped a generation's perception of true love. But is this a good thing or does it romanticize abusive behavior ? Should we find it sweet that he wrote daily letters to her for a year without receiving...

The holidays can be an isolating, scary time for people experiencing abuse. Time off from work, the increase in substance use, financial strain, and the pressure to make happy holiday memories create a perfect storm for abuse. Robin Hughes, manager of JBWS' Crisis Response Team, joins this episode of Unsilenced to explore why abuse may escalate during the holidays and how to support a loved on...

Words hurt. Emotional abuse can damage a person's sense of identity, hurt their self-worth, and make them doubt their reality. However, because there are no physical signs of emotional abuse, it can be difficult to recognize. Sometimes abusive behavior can be masked as concern for your partner. "I don't think you should eat this meal, maybe get a salad instead" or "I don&#39...

Abuse isn't always that easy to recognize. This concept is highlighted in Anna Kendrick's episode of Call Her Daddy where she explores how abuse is designed to make you question yourself. Maddie Hahn, the manager of JBWS' Dating Abuse Prevention Program, joins this episode of Unsilenced to discuss elements of Anna's episode of Call Her Daddy including the dynamics of abusive relati...

Self-care is often portrayed as luxurious vacations, trips to the spa, or expensive meals out. However, these methods aren't always accessible to people experiencing abuse. Their partners may control their finances, their schedule, and their relationships. So, how can victims of abuse take care of themselves? Maria Lagattuta, director of JBWS' Morris Family Justice Center, joins this episo...

Johnny Depp and Amber Heard. Diddy and baby oil. Rhianna and Chris Brown. These are just some of the many costumes people wear for Halloween that minimize or glorify sexual assault and domestic violence. But what motivates a person to dress as a victim of abuse or a person who has caused harm in their relationship? Psychologist and JBWS board member, Dr. Danielle Graddick joins this episode of Uns...

How does cultural identity impact a Hispanic victim’s journey to safety? Are there cultural messages about family, gender roles, and silence that can complicate leaving? How do language barriers make it difficult to access serivces? Members of the Morris County Organization for Hispanic Affairs (MCOHA) join this episode of Unsilenced to answer these questions. Content: (0:00) Introduction (1:34) H...

Are jokes always harmless, especially if only one person is laughing? Fiorella Diaz, LSW, the director of housing and supportive services at JBWS, answers the question: "Is it a Joke? Or is it Abusive?" This episode discusses the issues with these pranks, the core tenants of non-harmful jokes, and how we can all do our part to help people impacted by domestic violence. Content: (0:00) Introduction...

If someone is being abused by their partner, wouldn't leaving the relationship be the easiest solution? This is a question that we hear frequently as a domestic violence agency. However, it's based on the assumption that it is easy to leave an abusive relationship and that leaving will automatically make the victim safer. Robin Hughes, manager of JBWS' Crisis Response Team, joins this...

Why does talking about abuse make us so uncomfortable? Is it difficult for us to think that our loved ones might be harming another person? Or maybe we don't how to talk to someone experiencing abuse. Either way, it can be difficult to have conversations about abuse but that is also exactly why we must start talking about it. In this first episode of Unsilenced: Real Conversations About Abuse,...

Launching on October 1, 2024, Unsilenced: Real Conversations About Abuse is a podcast produced by JBWS that aims to end the culture of silence that surrounds domestic violence by increasing conversations about abuse. Through raw and unfiltered conversations with survivors of abuse, people who have used abuse, psychologists, social workers, and others impacted by domestic violence, this podcast int...