A Way Out

Only 1 in 4 working people have paid family leave from their jobs right now, and we’re one of the only countries in the world that doesn’t guarantee any kind of paid leave. Lack of paid family leave can cause economic instability, which makes people more vulnerable to risk factors for domestic violence. Your elected officials should support paid leave, commit to its passage, and fight for survivors. We’re taking part in the Day of Action to demand our leaders prioritize survivors because no one should choose between safety and a paycheck.

This week, we honor the dedicated forensic nurses who stand on the front lines of justice and healing. Forensic nurses play a vital role in supporting victims of trauma, abuse, and violence, providing compassionate care while collecting crucial evidence that aids investigations. They bridge the gap between healthcare and the legal system, ensuring survivors are treated with dignity and respect.

Let's show our appreciation for their unwavering commitment to truth and recovery. Thank you, forensic nurses, for all that you do! 💜

You matter.

Don't forget to visit and follow our YouTube Channel for all the latest Webinars of Recovery. https://youtube.com/c/malesurvivor

Abusive and controlling partners often use ""loving"" acts to manipulate their victims. When intimidation, isolation, and even physical abuse no longer seem to be working, the abuser pulls out the wedding albums or acts charming and contrite to win the abused partner back. One former abuser, for instance, described how he regularly sent flower arrangements to his girlfriend’s workplace so her co-workers would tell her how lucky she was to be with him.

Some people call these acts of love “the honeymoon"" or ""making-up” phase of a “cycle of violence.” We prefer to think of these as bait leading to a trap. Occasional acts of kindness are a grooming strategy to retain control and make a partner stay in the relationship. An abuser may intersperse loving acts with angry outbursts, sexual coercion and manipulation, producing a kind of emotional whiplash in his partner.

https://buff.ly/2WXXEqI

We’re taught from a very young age that jealousy and possessiveness are signs of true love. If you need proof, look no further than the classic Valentine’s Day “Be mine” conversation heart.

We tend to perpetuate the myth in adult relationships, too. When your partner slugs someone in a bar for hitting on you or surprises you with a candlelit dinner even though you were supposed to go out with your friends, you can’t help but feel wanted.

And in a new relationship, it’s easy to misinterpret red flags for romance.

https://buff.ly/43jwcC7

Will My Partner Be Violent After I Leave? Will a fear of increased violence prevent survivors from leaving their abusers?

Unfortunately, plenty of people still misunderstand domestic violence, holding onto beliefs that make it harder for survivors to feel supported. Learn how you can challenge these misconceptions and create a safer world for survivors with our to Have an Informed Conversation about Domestic Violence series: https://bit.ly/3qFcVZl

[Image description: Against a blue patterned background, orange and black text inside a white circle reads: "10 Tips to Have an Informed Conversation about Domestic Violence. 03 Challenge widely held perceptions. These include the notions that survivors can "just leave," or that only heterosexual, cisgender women are victims, or that only physical violence "counts." NNEDV logo below text. The NNEDV logo consists of 66 small house shapes arranged in a large house shape, and text reading: "NNEDV National Network to End Domestic Violence."]

Money Manipulation | Essence If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, including financial abuse, visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline or call 1-800-799-7233. Visit Ujima’s website for more information and resources. By getting educated and […]

wishes you a fun, spooky, and safe Halloween! 🎃🖤 Here's our annual reminder that consent must always be freely given and NEVER assumed or forced based on what someone is wearing, today and every day of the year.

[Image description: Over a gray polka-dot background, white text reads: "Costumes =/= consent" with the NNEDV logo below. The NNEDV logo consists of 66 small house shapes arranged in a large house shape, and text reading: "NNEDV National Network to End Domestic Violence." Illustrations of a witch's hat, a ghost, and a pumpkin accompany the text and logo.]

Elderly Financial Abuse Elderly Financial Abuse by the Department of Banking and Securities

Webinar: Medicare in 2025 - November 13 | Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network Join Pennsylvania Health Law Project for a free webinar about upcoming changes to Medicare in 2025. The webinar will be held on November 13, 2024 from 10:00 AM-12:00 PM Eastern.

Power and Control Power and Control Wheel: A useful lens for examining domestic violence, these are tactics an abusive partner may use in a relationship.

Warning Signs of Abuse Domestic abuse warning signs: Even one or two of these behaviors in a relationship is a red flag that abuse may be present.

A Way Out had a great time participating in the Trunk or Treat event
at Coudersport Elementary!

The House of Representatives today unanimously approved my legislation to establish a statewide r**e kit evidence tracking system.

Senate Bill 920 allows survivors to track the status of their r**e kits throughout the testing process, from collection to destruction. With this legislation, Pennsylvania will join 35 states and the District of Columbia that have already implemented r**e kit tracking systems.

Senate Bill 920 strengthens our commitment to empowering survivors and holding offenders accountable. Establishing a r**e kit tracking system in Pennsylvania will enable sexual assault survivors to monitor the status of their kits during an investigation, bringing transparency and accountability to the process.

In addition to creating a r**e kit tracking system, Senate Bill 920 brings Pennsylvania into compliance with the Fairness for R**e Kit Backlog Survivors provision of the recent Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) reauthorization.

To comply with VAWA, the bill provides a waiver for survivors who file untimely claims for compensation due to delays in r**e kit testing. Survivors will not need to undergo an appeal process for consideration of this waiver.

Senate Bill 920 also empowers survivors by clarifying existing rights and enshrining new statutory rights for survivors of sexual assault.

This legislation builds on my work in supporting survivors of sexual assault. In 2018, I sponsored Act 164 to streamline the process of collecting sexual assault evidence and require regular reporting on related data. In 2019, I sponsored Act 29, which enacted a comprehensive bill of rights for survivors in Pennsylvania.

Senate Bill 920 now heads to the governor’s desk.

What is a Safety Plan? Domestic violence safety planning is a personalized plan for improving safety while experiencing abuse, preparing to leave, or after leaving.

Resisting Control When It's Disguised as Love Abusers can disguise control to look a lot like acts of love.

Possessiveness: The Precursor to Power and Control The warning signs of possessive behavior that could point to domestic abuse down the road.