Send us a text In our efforts to provide holistic, comprehensive services, advocates often respond to survivors of domestic and sexual violence who have pets. There are many opportunities for advocates to support survivors around issues of pets, pet care, and advocacy. In this episode of MOmentum for Change, Claire Coughlin, the Director of the Companion Animal Program at the Animal Welfare Institute and Kitty Lawrence, the Director of Community Programs at the Animal Protective Associa...

Send us a text Survivors of sexual abuse may choose to seek justice through the civil courts. In this episode of MOmentum for Change, Reed Martens, Attorney at Monsees & Mayer in Kansas City, discusses trauma-informed representation, the civil process, and his work to pursue justice for survivors. Notes: Find more information about Monsees & Mayer at https://monseesmayer.com/

Send us a text Domestic violence advocates are in a unique position to connect survivors of domestic violence with care and supportive resources related to partner-inflicted brain injury. The UMKC Institute for Human Development hosts OBISSS, a screening tool to assess individuals for brain injury. Join Beth Dauber, the Project Coordinator for Health and Aging at the UMKC Institute for Human Development and MOCADSV staff, Cara Jones, Member Services Specialist and Ashlea Whaley, Partnership D...

Send us a text In this “back to school” episode of the podcast, MOCADSV is joined by Margo Leitschuh, the Prevention and Implementation Team Lead from Missouri Partners in Prevention. Margo discusses her passion for public health, effective strategies for violence prevention, and opportunities to partner with campus communities to support student health, safety, and wellbeing. Show notes: Missouri Partners in Prevention Reading List: https://www.mopip.org/pip/wp-content/up...

Send us a text The First Regular Session of the Missouri 103rd General Assembly ended this spring and new laws go into effect on August 28, 2025. Join members of the MOCADSV Public Policy Committee, Jessica Woolbright and Lisa Fleming, with the MOCADSV Chief Public Affairs Officer, Matthew Huffman, for a discussion of the legislative session, new laws that impact survivors of domestic and sexual violence, and MOCADSV’s policy efforts at the national level. Some episodes of MOmentum for...

Send us a text DeafLEAD is available to provide empowering, trauma-informed advocacy services to survivors of domestic and sexual violence who are Deaf. They are also available to provide support and information to advocacy organizations who serve these individuals. In this episode of MOmentum for Change, DeafLEAD Advocates, Tozzie Smith and Rachel Ebner, talk further about DeafLEAD, their empowerment-based approach, and a new ASL course they have developed to bridge the gap between service p...

Send us a text Elizabeth Herrera is a visionary, a leader, and a true trailblazer for women. In this episode of MOmentum for Change, Elizabeth talks about the veteran’s program for women that she leads at Stephens College, her efforts in Puerto Rico to connect young women with educational opportunities, and how her commitment to women’s empowerment and positive social change has inspired her ongoing service to the community. Find information about Mission Promise Kept at https://live-s...

Send us a text Domestic and sexual violence, pregnancy, and mental health are deeply connected issues. Join Dr. Melanie McKean, a Reproductive Psychiatrist with the Maternal Health Access Project, for a discussion about perinatal psychiatry and how domestic and sexual violence advocates can connect survivors with mental health services before, during, and after pregnancy. Episode notes: To register for the Maternal Health Access Project, visit: https://redcap.umkc.edu/surve...

Send us a text The Metropolitan Organization Countering Sexual Assault (MOCSA) is celebrating 50 years of preventing sexual assault and supporting survivors in both Kansas and Missouri. In this episode of MOmentum for Change, MOCSA’s current President and CEO, Julie Donelon and former CEO, Palle Rilinger join MOCADSV for a discussion of the history of the organization, progress that has been made, and their hopes for the future of the anti-rape movement. Find more information about MOCS...

Send us a text In recognition of Women’s History Month, Becky Vermeire and Jennifer Hill discuss their involvement in the Missouri domestic and sexual violence advocacy movement. They reflect on earlier days of providing services, their involvement with statewide efforts, and the important role that humor has played in sustaining their work. They also talk about other women in the movement who have inspired and supported them and how these relationships have been foundational to much of the p...

Send us a text Young people experience unique challenges that present advocacy programs with an opportunity to provide support and make a true difference. In recognition of Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, this episode features a discussion of serving youth with Kristyn Young, Social Worker with the Youth and Family Advocacy Program at Legal Services of Eastern Missouri and Samantha Ghormley Hill, Member Services Specialist at MOCADSV. Kristyn and Samantha talk about difficult circumstan...

Send us a text Many domestic and sexual violence advocacy organizations regularly provide services to survivors of human trafficking. In recognition of Human Trafficking Awareness Month, MOCADSV is joined by Jordan Campbell and Libby Trammel from the Missouri Coalition Against Trafficking and Exploitation for a discussion of the nature and dynamics of trafficking, the current landscape of services in Missouri, and resources available to support survivors. Episode notes: &nb...

Send us a text In the final Episode of Season 3 of MOmentum for Change, we hear a compilation of voices from the Missouri Movement, interviewed at the MOCADSV Conference in Columbia on November 6-8, 2024. These conversations discuss highlights from the Conference, thoughts on advocacy and services, and confirms that, when we work together as a united movement, we truly can, and do, achieve more. Many thanks to the following Conference attendees who joined MOCADSV as guests on this episode:&nb...

Send us a text In the final Episode of Season 3 of MOmentum for Change, we hear a compilation of voices from the Missouri Movement, interviewed at the MOCADSV Conference in Columbia on November 6-8, 2024. These conversations discuss highlights from the Conference, thoughts on advocacy and services, and confirms that, when we work together as a united movement, we truly can, and do, achieve more. Many thanks to the following Conference attendees who joined MOCADSV as guests on this episode:&nb...

Send us a text Children’s book author, Angie Philips, joins MOCADSV for a conversation about her book Feather’s Matter, written in honor of her daughter, Hallie Phillips, who died as a result of an intimate partner homicide in 2022. In this episode, Angie also discusses red flags of abuse, her passion for women’s empowerment, and the need for more awareness of harm caused by emotional abuse. Find more information about Angie Phillips, including her blog, links to her podcast Blended, B...

Send us a text Many individuals who have experienced domestic and sexual violence also have a history of military service. In recognition of Veterans Day, MOmentum for Changed is joined by Jess Asher and Michelle Vogt from Welcome Home, for a discussion of how service members are impacted by domestic and sexual violence and what resources are available to provide trauma-informed support and services. Jess and Michelle also discuss the dynamics of veteran homelessness and challenges due to the...

Send us a text 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...

Send us a text 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 v...

Send us a text 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 Collaborati...

Send us a text 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 thei...