More than 100 indiginous people are missing in Washington State; other states are also plagued with high numbers. The Washington State Patrol has created a task force specifically to help locate and get answers to the epidemic of missing men and women.More than 100 indiginous people are missing in Washington State; other states are also plagued with high numbers. The Washington State Patrol has created a task force specifically to help locate and get answers to the epidemic of missing men and women. Join us as members of the task force describe the problems, the obstacles and the stories of the efforts to locate the many missing.  Available online at www.blogtalkradio.com/3women3ways. Available on demand after 04/01/2022.

Women make up 51% of the US population, yet only 31% of elected officials are women. So why the disparity?   Well, as any woman who has run for office can tell you, there are a number of barriers and obstacles standing in the way for women who throw their hats in the ring. Money, support, personal obligations, campaigning, exposure...the list goes on and on. A number of organizations have formed in the last couple of years to help  One of them is League of Our Own Washington. Executive Director Kaitlin Vintertun heads up the relatively new League based just north of Seattle, WA. She explains the supports the group offers women who not only want to run now, but who are contemplating it in the future. During their first year they had 70 potential candidates participate in trainings, coaching sessions, and educational programs with supporters and experienced candidates, with most running for school boards, city councils, an dother critical local positions. Most educational experiences are provided by volunteer coaches, former candidates and supporters from speech experts to empathetic listeners to someone to just cook a dinner for the candidate as she goes through the experience.  Join us as we talk about women in government and what is to be learned and gained from running for office .

TEN MEN: A RHODE ISLAND ENGAGEMENT GROUP The domestic violence movement has grown and changed over the last 30 years, and perhaps one of the more interesting developments over that time, has been the efforts to engage men in the fight against the violence. The Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence (RIADV) has found one way to encourage this is to annually recruit men in the community to advocate for the Coalition and against domestic violence. The Ten Men program combines education, media, and ongoing engagement to create a continually growing, dedicated cadre of men. Krista D'Amico is the Director of Prevention at the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence (RICADV), and Lucy Rios, is deputy director there. D’Amico coordinates initiatives to prevent intimate partner violence before it starts while Rios coordinates prevention-focused strategies funded through various iterations of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention DELTA Programs, creating notable initiatives to mobilize bystanders such as Ten Men. Join us as both women talk about the Ten Men program and the success it has achieved in Rhode Island.

WHAT’S HAPPENING WITH PERPETRATOR TREATMENT? After a domestic violence arrest, perpetrators are often ordered into treatment by the courts. Treatment? That implies there is a cure. Or does it? Turns out treatment is not the panacea we would hope it is, but it may do some good. The discussion around the effectiveness of intimate partner abuser treatment is one that has been going on for a while. Does treatment help or not? The answer isn’t so simple. Just as there are different types of perpetrators, there are also different types of and approaches to treatment. Christopher Murphy, PhD, psychology professor at University of Maryland Baltimore County, and director of a counselling program for domestic violence offenders, has spent most of his career studying perpetrators and the strategies and programs used to treat them. Join us as we discuss the benefits and failures of treatment, who goes to treatment, and some of the innovative approaches to treating these perpetrators. Airing for the first time, Saturday, March 20, at 11 AM Pacific Time, and available thereafter through the archive at www.blogtalkradio.com/3women3ways.

HOW ONE POLICE DEPARTMENT RESPONDS TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE You’ve seen it on the news, perhaps heard of friends or even experienced it yourself – the domestic incident call to police. We know bits and pieces, but chances are, unless you’ve experienced it personally, you don’t really know what happens after that call. What happens when police arrive? Is it really as dangerous as they say? How do the police figure out what really happened in the midst of “he-said-she-said?” Jennifer Bartak is a police sergeant for the Town of Deerfield, Massachusetts who specializes in sexual assault investigations. She is the liaison to the High-Risk Domestic Violence Offender Team with the Northwestern District Attorney’s office. She holds a BA degree in Social-Services in Criminal Justice from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She knows very intimately what goes on when the police arrive. She shares with us, step by step, the actions, the questions and the concerns of police who handle domestic violence calls. Join us as we talk about the police response to intimate partner violence. Airing for the first time, Saturday, March 13, at 11 AM Pacific Time, and available thereafter through the archive at www.blogtalkradio.com/3women3ways.

COERCIVE CONTROL: NO BROKEN BONES BUT VIOLENCE, NEVERTHELESS Isolation, entrapment, stalking, mind games, withholding, degrading…all are the strategies and the weapons of the perpetrator in debilitating and controlling relationships. The coercive control the abuser uses can create as much damage and victimization as the physical assaults often experienced in domestic violence. Lisa Aronson Fontes PhD is a senior lecturer at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and is published in PsychologyToday.com and DomesticShelters.org. She is the author of four popular books including one on coercive control: “Invisible Chains, Overcoming Coercive Control in Your Intimate Relationship.” Join us as she describes the types of coercive control, the severity and frequency of its use, and why abusers inflict this type of violence on victims. Airing for the first time, Saturday, March 6, at 11 AM Pacific Time, and available thereafter through the archive at www.blogtalkradio.com/3women3ways.

MURDER CHARGES AFTER A STILL BIRTH: A FIGHT ON BEHALF OF WOMEN How terrible to deliver a still born, full term baby. Imagine the grief. Now imagine that immediately after, police arrest you and you spend the next 15 months jailed and charged with murder of that child. That is what happened to a California woman, and she isn’t the first who has been persecuted for losing a child. Women all across the country are facing such a threat, and one organization, the National Advocates for Pregnant Women, is working to provide legal advocacy for them. Samantha Lee is a staff attorney for the NAPW. She earned a degree in International Human rights and then graduated from NYU law school, served as a public defender representing parents accused of neglect or abuse and his working on cases like that of the California women. Join us as we discuss particular cases, what motivates a prosecutor to pursue such charges, and what the implications are for not only pregnant women, but for all of us. Airing for the first time, Saturday, February 27, at 11 AM Pacific Time, and available thereafter through the archive at www.blogtalkradio.com/3women3ways.

When a victime has to leave a domestic violence situation, that departure is often hindered because of abusers' threats to animals, or because the victim doesn't want to leave pets behind. It's a real problem. But one organization, Redrover, is working with that problem and creating safe solutions all across the US and Canada. Nicole Forsyth is President and CEO of RedRover, a nonprofit that helps bring animals from crisis to care, including in domestic violence cases. The three main programs of RedRover help people and animals in crisis, whether that is a natural disaster or a DV problem. This includes working with shelters to learn how to accommodate animals and the humans who need help. The organization also has a program for children designed to reinforce the human-animal bond and emotions. The group also helps with resources for animal medical care.  Forsythe authored an interactive digital book and game as part of the RedRover Readers program. She has a Master of Science in Animal Biology and Welfaree, and another masters in Communication and she shares he experience helping animals and their people in this episode of 3 Women 3 Ways.

SEXUAL ASSAULT ADVOCACY AND EDUCATION OVER DECADES COVID is causing upswings in domestic violence and sexual assault. True or false?  How has the response to sexual assault changed? How do we view prevention and what does that mean today? Mary Ellen Stone, Executive Director who has headed Washington State’s King County Sexual Assault Resource Center        has worked as a leader in changing the landscape of sexual assault prevention, education and victim advocacy for nearly 40 years. Who better to talk about effective and innovative services for victims of sexual and domestic assault? Join us as we look at how perceptions of sexual assault and advocacy have changed and where they are headed in the future. And learn whether  COVID has played a part in that change. Join us as we talk family courts, abusers, child custody and the reality of domestic violence and the courts. Airing for the first time, Saturday, November 7, at 11 AM Pacific Time, and available thereafter through the archive at www.blogtalkradio.com/3women3ways.

The horror stories about domestic violence, divorce, child custody and the too- often devastating decisions handed down in family court abound. This week's show features a retired judge who advocates and teaches about how abusers use the court system, and many of his insignts and experiences shed some light on what happens in courts when abusers use the courts to further abuse their victims.   Judge Eugene Hyman served 20 years on the Superior court in the Criminal, Family, Juvenile, and Probate divisions of the Court. The Juvenile Domestic and Family Violence Court began in 1999 and is believed to be the first such court in the US. It received the United Nations Public Service Award in 2008. Assitionally, he has taught Domestic Violence related subjects in Canada, Australia, Germany, New Zealand, besides in the US.  Join us as we talk family courts, abusers, child custody and the reality of domestic violence and the courts.

Human trafficking is a problem affecting women and girls throughout the world, but it is a woman right here in the United States who shares her experiences, her trauma and, significantly, her recovery. Siobhan Bennett has been CEO of a national political advancement organization, is the former head of a Washington DC organization working to get women elected to office and is currently chief strategic officer for a legal defense and education nonprofit. That’s her professional background. Her personal background includes having been trafficked, getting out of that experience, and her life-long recovery. She sees her role today as one of educating and giving hope to others Join us as we look at human trafficking, its prevalence, and its repercussions.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE FROM A POLICE PERSPECTIVE We hear from lawyers, judges, victims, advocates and even ministers about domestic violence, but how often do we hear from police officers about their understanding of domestic violence, it's perpetrators and victims, and its prosecution? Lt. Mark Wynn (ret), a former police officer and member of a SWAT team for 15 years, author of police Officer Standards and Training curriculum, and key creator of the largest police domestic violence investigative unit in the US joiins us to talk about the history of police response in the US, how current dissatisfaction with police culture in general may affect domestic violence response, whether changes will impact women of color more negatively, and how US police treatment of domestic violence compares with responses in other countries. Wynn, a Fulbright Specialist for the Department of State and a survivor of DV himself, has spent the last 20 years teaching police forces around the world about handling DV and he has done so with personal experience, sensitivity, enthusiasm and the support of researchers, advocates and founders of the battered women's movement.

ABUSED MOTHERS AND CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES It is no surprise that children suffer in intimate partner abuse situations. Neither is it a surprise that some of those children are taken into care by child protective services. One group of researchers decided to take a look at the mothers in some of these situations and compare those who had children taken away, either temporarily or permanently, with those who did not. The results were revealing, to say the least. Leslie M. Tutty, PhD, professor emerita from the Faculty of Social Work at the University of Calgary, shares some of the findings from the study that looked at more than 600 women over four years and discovered some commonalities when children were taken away. Dr. Tutty has done extensive research into services for domestic violence, not only for abused women, but also treatment for adult and child victims of sexual abuse, and even groups for men who are perpetrators. She is widely published and has authored and edited textbooks for social workers as well as journal articles. Join us as we look at abused mothers’ mental health, how they protect their children, and what stands out among those who have had their children taken into care by CPS. Airing for the first time, Saturday, June 20, at 11 AM Pacific Time, and available thereafter through the archive at www.blogtalkradio.com/3women3ways.

CYBER VIOLENCE: MANY WAYS, MANY MOTIVES We have all heard of cyber bullying, but that is just one way trolls, misogynists, criminals and crazies can use the internet to target, harass, threaten, shame and terrorize their unfortunate victims. Who are the perpetrators and who do they target? What are the negative effects of these assaults? And what are we doing about it? Emma Louise Backe is a PhD candidate at George Washington University who is doing research into the politics and nature of care and justice for survivors. She has been a rape crisis advocate and community educator, and she is a gender consultant in the international community. Join us as we discuss the research into cyber violence, the reactions to it, and the impacts on victims and society. Airing for the first time, Saturday, May 23, at 11 AM Pacific Time, and available thereafter through the archive at www.blogtalkradio.com/3women3ways.

VICTIMS’ ADVOCATES: WHO, WHERE AND WHAT? Relatively unnoticed by the general population during the pandemic news and focus was the April observation of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. Among those who paid attention to the event were crime victim advocates, especially Anne Seymour, an advocate for 36 years. So what does a crime victim advocate do? And when did that become a thing, anyway? Seymour, who practically invented the job, started by becoming involved at a grass roots level with Mothers Against Drunk Drivers, and when she found herself in the White House watching then President Regan as he began the focus on victim’s rights, she decided this was the path she would take. And taken it she has. She Director of the Fairness, Dignity And Respect for Crime Victims and Survivors Project and is the consultant to the Pew Charitable Trusts Public Safety Performance Project. She’s developed training and assistance programs, authored books and studies and even helped develop curricula for training advocates. Join us as we discuss the concept of victims’ rights, the creation of task forces and agencies to help those affected by crime, the implementation of policy at all levels to see such help is available, and the people who have stepped forward to assist such victims. Airing for the first time, Saturday, May 6, at 11 AM Pacific Time, and available thereafter through the archive at www.blogtalkradio.com/3women3ways.

“SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH HER” IS A RED FLAG FOR BRAIN DAMAGE Those who work with intimate partner violence victims know how frequently strangulation shows up as an issue. What has not been as well known is how often that strangulation results in long-term brain damage. A recent study by researchers at Ohio State University revealed the prevalence of such brain damage, how often that damage is not recognized, and how frequently the results are interpreted as unrelated mental health issues. Rachel Ramirez, founder and director of The Center on Partner Inflicted Brain Injury, talks about the study and what it means for providing help for victims of domestic violence. Ramirez co-authored “Trauma-Informed Approaches: Promising Practices and Protocols for Ohio’s Domestic Violence Programs,” as well as several academic journal articles. She is a bilingual licensed independent social worker with graduate degrees and is a registered advocate with senior standing in Ohio. Join us as we discuss the prevalence and long-term brain damage resulting from domestic violence. Airing for the first time, Saturday, May 9, at 11 AM Pacific Time, and available thereafter through the archive at www.blogtalkradio.com/3women3ways.

A SURVIVOR, A MOTHER, AND A WOMEN’S COALITION Cindy Dumas and her son Damon went through hell when Damon was court ordered into the custody of his father who was sexually abusing him. After fighting for years, Damon finally was able to gain his emancipation at age 16. But that didn’t end the fight for either Cindy or Damon. They have continued the battle to save kids from bad court decisions. They have created the Women’s Coalition International. The Coalition educates and lobbies about the conditions for children in US family courts, and is working to enact the Child Custody Act. Join us as we discuss courts, custody, how we got this way and how a new system needs to provide due process for parents as well as uphold the best interests of children. Airing for the first time, Saturday, April 18, at 11 AM Pacific Time, and available thereafter through the archive at www.blogtalkradio.com/3women3ways.

WHAT’S A SHELTER TO DO? HELPING DURING A HEALTH CRISIS Everyone is inconvenienced by the restrictions due to the COVID-19 situation but there’s inconvenience and then there’s danger. When abuse is already there, confinement with an abuser escalates all danger and trauma. DC Safe, a Washington, DC service for abuse victims, has had to ratchet up support, create new ways to help and do it all with limited funds and challenged staff. So how are they, and hundreds of other organizations, helping victims? Kylie Hogan, Crisis Intervention Team Director, supervises a staff of 11 including response line and on call programming. She also covers the Lethality Assessment Project. Over the last few weeks, she and her staff have had to adapt to new demands, remote counseling, and serving even more people than they were serving before. Join us as Kylie discusses how she and her 11 staff members are coping, how things have changed, and how they are making it work despite pandemics and cancelled fundraisers. Airing for the first time, Saturday, April 11, at 11 AM Pacific Time, and available thereafter through the archive at www.blogtalkradio.com/3women3ways.

GENDERED VIOLENCE IN THE TIME OF PANDEMIC Intimate partner violence and abuse are bad enough but made so much worse by the world-wide pandemic and the restrictions everyone faces now. What is going on and how are we coping? Seattle’s Susan Segall, director of New Beginnings, a multi-service organization dedicated to helping survivors, explains what’d different now for victims and survivors, and how her organization is working to help those in need despite viruses and restrictions. Segall has more than 35 years of experience in organizations that focus on gender-based violence, reproductive rights, peace and social justice. Join us as we talk about the effect of COVID-19 on isolation, custody and court issues, support services and more.           Airing for the first time, Saturday, April 4, at 11 AM Pacific Time, and available thereafter through the archive at www.blogtalkradio.com/3women3ways.

UC DENVER’S PROGRAM ON GENDERED VIOLENCE Once upon a time, a small group of women had a vision about how to change the world to make women safe from domestic violence so they got a grant and they set about convincing a university that such a course of study was worthy and necessary. It wasn’t easy, but they did it. And this year the program that developed from that vision celebrates 20 years and dozens of graduates and developing programs to fit an even broader vision. Join originator and Director of the Center on Domestic Violence at the School of Public Affairs, University of Colorado Denver, Barbara Paradiso, as we talk about the beginnings of the innovative department, it’s progression over two decades, and what lays ahead for the program and its graduates, and its mission to serve victims and survivors of gender-based violence by supporting solid leadership, advancing innovative research, and nurturing community collaboration. Airing for the first time, Saturday, February 8, at 11 AM Pacific Time, and available thereafter through the archive at www.blogtalkradio.com/3women3ways.