MOCADSV will host a Biannual Statewide Conference in Columbia, Missouri on November 6-8, 2024. The Conference brings advocates and allied professionals together to build relationships, strengthen networks, and learn innovative approaches to supporting survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Join MOCADSV members and Conference presenters Jessica Hill, Emily Stoinski, and Andrea Raya for a discussion of their highly anticipated workshop sessions as well as highlights from past MOCADSV Conferences and thoughts on what they are looking forward to this year.

Register for the Conference here and contact MOCADSV with additional questions.

Content warning: Some episodes of MOmentum for Change have conversations that include content and descriptions of domestic and sexual violence, which may be alarming or activating for some listeners. Please take care and visit the MOCADSV Directory at www.mocadsv.org to connect with supportive services.

The Children's Division of The Missouri Department of Social Services launched their Family-Centered Services program to connect families with resources and prevent children from being placed in foster care, when possible. On this episode of MOmentum for Change, Judge Darrell Missey, the Director of Children's Division, talks about the state of child welfare that inspired these services, efforts that result in meaningful change, and the important role that domestic and sexual violence agencies play in this proactive, preventative process.

Notes:

• A Plan to Rebuild and Reform Children’s Division: https://dss.mo.gov/cd/docs/A-plan-to-Rebuild-and-Reform-Childrens-Division.pdf

Content warning: some episodes of MOmentum for Change have conversations that include content and descriptions of domestic and sexual violence, which may be alarming or activating for some listeners. Please take care and visit the MOCADSV Directory at www.mocadsv.org to connect with supportive services.

The Missouri Battered Women’s Clemency Coalition, also known as the Missouri Clemency Project, launched in 1999, and remains an important part of the Missouri movement’s history. Join Amy Lorenz-Moser for a discussion of the 25th Anniversary of the project and her decades-long work to obtain clemency for incarcerated survivors of violence.

Notes:

• The Perfect Victim: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2121734/
• The Missouri Battered Women’s Clemency Coalition: A Collaborative Effort in Justice for Eleven Missouri Women: https://scholarship.law.slu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1323&context=plr

Content warning: some episodes of MOmentum for Change have conversations that include content and descriptions of domestic and sexual violence, which may be alarming or activating for some listeners. Please take care and visit the MOCADSV Directory at www.mocadsv.org to connect with supportive services.

The Missouri 2024 legislative session came to a close last month, on May 17th. In this episode of MOmentum for Change, MOCADSV Public Policy Committee members, Dr. Sara Brammer, Vice President of Family Violence Services at Synergy Services and Jessica Woolbright, Executive Director at Saint Martha’s discuss their passion for public policy, notable victories from this legislative session, and policy developments that are happening at the federal level. They also reflect on their careers in service of survivors of violence and draw meaningful connections between these services and their work for positive policy change.

Episode notes:
• 2024 End of Session Report from MOCADSV: https://www.mocadsv.org/legislative_updates/2024-end-of-session-report/
• Pregnant women in Missouri can't get divorced. Critics say it fuels domestic violence: https://www.npr.org/2024/05/03/1247838036/divorce-pregnant-women-missouri-abortion-marriage-abuse
• How a decades-old Missouri law makes it harder for pregnant women to get divorced: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/missouri-pregnancy-divorce-1.7196704#:~:text=Ashley%20Aune%2C%20a%20Missouri%20state,harming%20women%20experiencing%20domestic%20violence
• The American President with Annette Bening and Michael Douglas: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112346/

Content warning: some episodes of MOmentum for Change have conversations that include content and descriptions of domestic and sexual violence, which may be alarming or activating for some listeners. Please take care and visit the MOCADSV Directory at www.mocadsv.org to connect with supportive services.

Civic engagement provides multiple opportunities for advocates to empower survivors and impact positive change throughout the community. Join MOCADSV staff, Sammie Jurado and Matthew Huffman for a discussion about the intersection of civic engagement and advocacy, voting resources that are available to survivors, and thoughts on how domestic and sexual violence advocacy organizations can participate in upcoming elections.

Resources in this episode:
• Alliance for Justice at https://afj.org/
• Engage: Multi Level Violence Prevention Strategy at https://www.mopip.org/engage/
• New Laws in Neighboring States: MOCADSV’s Public Policy Exchange at https://mocadsv.coalitionmanager.org/resourcemanager/resourcefile/details/1149

Some episodes of MOmentum for Change have conversations that include content and descriptions of domestic and sexual violence, which may be alarming or activating for some listeners. Please take care and visit the MOCADSV Directory to connect with supportive services: https://www.mocadsv.org/how-to-get-help/

Join MOCADSV for a conversation with a true Missouri hero, Lisa Saylor, who shares her inspiring story of hope, survival, and healing. She speaks to the power that survivors have to make change, in their own lives as well as in the state Legislature, and reminds us that we all have an important role to play in supporting survivors and ending domestic and sexual violence.

As Lisa shares the heartbreaking aspects of the violence she was subject to, the sexual content and graphic language may be triggering for some listeners.

Lisa is available to provide community speaking engagements and training, contact MOCADSV for more information.

Dr. Gloria Johnson is the Founder and CEO of Life Source Consultants in St. Louis, MO. She started the organization over 30 years ago with a $100 check donated to the organization from her husband, Louis. Join MOCADSV for a celebration of Women’s History Month as Dr. Johnson reflects on the history of her organization and shares her hopes and dreams for the future.

Find I Cried Alone: Restored Hope and Healing from Abuse by Dr. Gloria Johnson at https://www.amazon.com/Cried-Alone-Gloria-Stevens-Johnson/dp/1498404944.

In recognition of National Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, we discuss the intersection of teen dating violence and strangulation for February’s episode of Momentum for Change: Voices of the Missouri Movement. In this episode, Cara Jones, MOCADSV Member Services Specialist, talks about the dynamics of strangulation in teen relationships, barriers to supporting survivors, and opportunities for intervention and prevention.

For more information, see the following resources:

• San Diego Strangulation Protocol

• Missoula Countywide Strangulation Protocol

• ODVN Resources

• Love is Respect Hotline: 866-331-9474 or text “loveis” to 22522

• That’s Not Cool: Healthy Relationships Online

• One Love

• The Anti-Violence Project

• In the Know

• It’s Time We Talked

• Culture Framed

• Yes, Your Kid (book)

• Podcast on Crimes Against Women