Oluseun Olayinka is the Executive Director at Adventure4Change in Waterloo, Ontario. In this episode, Oluseun explains how cultural norms can influence the way a person navigates an abusive relationship, as well as the role the couple’s family, friends, and faith community may have in determining how to move forward. We also talk about the work Adenture4Change does to eliminate barriers for new Canadians to help them thrive. Join in the conversation! Use the hashtag #SheIsYourNeighbour and...

Christina Silva and Christy Phillips work at Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region. Christina is the Outreach Supervisor and Christy is a Child and Youth Worker. In this episode of She Is Your Neighbour we talked to Christina and Christy about the various ways that domestic violence impacts children and the importance of safety planning. We also talk about financial abuse and about how it can impact the entire family.   Join in the conversation! Use the hashtag #SheIsYourNeighbour and...

Sara Casselman is the Executive Director at the Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region.  In this episode, we talk to Sara about myths and misconceptions surrounding sexual violence, the intersection between domestic violence and human trafficking, and what Sexual Assault Support Centres can do to help community members who have experienced sexual violence.   Join in the conversation! Use the hashtag #SheIsYourNeighbour and connect with us on social media at @SheIsYourNeighbour and...

Julie Lalonde is an author, public educator and a survivor of domestic violence.  In the first episode of She Is Your Neighbour: Back to Basics, we talk to Julie about her personal experience with domestic violence and stalking, and how it led her to write her book, Resilience is Futile, the Life and Death and Life of Julie S Lalonde. Julie also spoke about bystander intervention strategies and the problem with glamorizing suffering through resilience.  Join in the conversation! Use the...

Stephanie Bryenton is a Reconciliation, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Advisor at the Region of Waterloo. A former child protection worker and Indigenous advocate, Stephanie now works to support Indigenous partners across the Region. She also runs a small business with her sister called Wiingashk Sisters to honour the legacy of their mother through beadwork.  In this episode, we talk to Stephanie about her work as a child protection worker and how it led her to the work she does today. We...

Ren Navarro is the founder of B. Diversity, a company that brings equity, diversity and inclusion to the craft beer industry and beyond. After seeing a lack of representation in the beer industry, Ren made it her mission to diversify the way that beer is perceived, highlighting there is no one type of person who drinks beer and changing marketing campaigns isn’t enough — policies need to reflect that too! In this episode, we talk to Ren about what harm reduction looks like in the beer...

Pamela Cross is a feminist lawyer, advocate and an expert on violence against women and the law. Pamela has been an expert witness on Inquests and Inquires across Canada to make recommendations to prevent future femicides from occurring. In this episode, we talk to Pamela about the difference between an Inquest and Inquiry, the consequences of criminalizing coercive control and talk about what needs to change in the legal system. Join in the conversation! Use the hashtag #SheIsYourNeighbour...

Amy Kaufman is a mom and advocate for survivors of domestic violence. During her marriage to a famous sports broadcaster, Amy experienced domestic violence which escalated during her pregnancy. Her experience also included a lengthy, public court battle for all to see and hear. Following her experience, Amy has become an advocate for survivors, using her story and her network to support others. Join in the conversation! Use the hashtag #SheIsYourNeighbour and connect with us on social media...

Iona is an equity, diversity and inclusion consultant and professor. After experiencing domestic violence in a past relationship, Iona recognized a gap in messaging and support around domestic violence in marginalized communities. In this episode, we talk to Iona about the unique struggles that are faced by marginalized communities who experience domestic violence, the importance of intersectionality in talking about complex social issues and how visibility can support those who are worried...

Growing up, Jude lived in an abusive household. As an adult, he works with men to hold them accountable when they use violence against their families and partners. In this episode, Jude tells us about his story of domestic violence and shares his experience working with men through Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region’s Engaging Men program. He also explains the importance of early intervention strategies to prevent domestic violence from happening in the future.   Join in the...

Dr Katreena Scott is the Academic Director of the Centre for Research and Education on Violence Against Women and Children. In this episode, we learn about why people use violence in relationships, the cycle of violence and the psychology behind how and why violence escalates.  Join in the conversation! Use the hashtag #SheIsYourNeighbour and connect with us on social media at @SheIsYourNeighbour and @WomensCrisisSWR.

After a near-fatal altercation with her ex-boyfriend in 1997, Colette Martin spent many years trying to process her experience. In this episode of She Is Your Neighbour, Colette talks about the red flags leading up to the night of the attack, her experience healing from trauma and how she is using her story to inspire others to be better neighbours.  Join in the conversation! Use the hashtag #SheIsYourNeighbour and connect with us on social media at @SheIsYourNeighbour and @WomensCrisisSWR.

Marlene Ham is the Executive Director of Ontario Association of Interval and Transitional Houses. In this episode, we talk with Marlene about the discourse around femicide, femicide rates in Ontario and how we can prevent more deaths from happening in the future. Join in the conversation! Use the hashtag #SheIsYourNeighbour and connect with us on social media at @SheIsYourNeighbour and @WomensCrisisSWR.

As a survivor of domestic violence, Sofia saw a need for more peer-support services in Waterloo Region to prevent domestic violence tragedies. In this episode, Sofia explains how her stay in Women’s Crisis Services’ emergency shelter led her to explore the support services available in the region. She shares how her personal experience with abuse inspired her to co-found VoicesWR, a peer-support group for survivors of intimate partner violence, which she currently co-chairs.   Join in the...

Sarah Robertson is a child welfare worker and survivor of domestic violence. When her relationship ended and a tragedy occurred, Sarah used her knowledge of child welfare to protect her family. In this episode, we learn how Sarah was able to move forward with her children and build a new life free from abuse. Join in the conversation! Use the hashtag #SheIsYourNeighbour and connect with us on social media at @SheIsYourNeighbour and @WomensCrisisSWR.

Myrna Dawson is known as one of the most prominent femicide researchers in Canada, who co-founded the Domestic Violence Death Review Committee in 2002. In this episode, we talk about the definition of femicide, collateral victims, and groups that have been disproportionately impacted by abuse. Join in the conversation! Use the hashtag #SheIsYourNeighbour and connect with us on social media at @SheIsYourNeighbour and @WomensCrisisSWR.

In early 2020, Jennifer Kagan-Viater’s daughter, Keira, was believed to be killed by her father in a murder-suicide as an act of revenge. In this episode, Jennifer shares a mother’s perspective on child loss relating to domestic violence. She talks about love-bombing, coercive control and explains how she is using Keira’s story to create change in the family court system. Join in the conversation! Use the hashtag #SheIsYourNeighbour and connect with us on social media at @SheIsYourNeighbour...

The loss of Fallon’s mother and father shaped who she was from a very young age. The subsequent death of her brother further impacted her and contributed to the survivor’s guilt she experienced. In this episode, we talk to Fallon about her tragic family experience with femicide, her life as a Métis woman and advocate, and learn how she has used her story to help others heal from violence. Join in the conversation! Use the hashtag #SheIsYourNeighbour and connect with us on social media at...

Alpha Nkuranga is a Residential Support Worker at Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region. In this episode, Alpha talks about experiencing with domestic violence as a child and the violence she endured while living in a Tanzanian refugee camp during the Rwandan genocide. We talk about the journey to her new life in Canada, her upcoming book, and the different support services that Women’s Crisis Services provides to women. Join in the conversation! Use the hashtag #SheIsYourNeighbour and...

Sarah Tieleman is an entrepreneur and a member of Women’s Crisis Services’ Board of Directors. In this episode, Sarah opens up about her journey as a teen mom experiencing domestic violence. She explains how she stayed at Anselma House in Kitchener and how her journey came full circle 20 years later, when she became a board member of Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region.  Join in the conversation! Use the hashtag #SheIsYourNeighbour and connect with us on social media at...

Samra Zafar is a best-selling author, motivational speaker and mental health advocate. In 2019, Samra released her book “A Good Wife: Escaping the Life I Never Chose”.  In this episode, Samra shares her experience with domestic violence. She talks about the importance of having cultural support from your community and explains why she chose to write her book, A Good Wife.   Join in the conversation! Use the hashtag #SheIsYourNeighbour and connect with us on social media at...

Carlos Morgan is a Canadian Rhythm and Blues singer. He won a juno award in 1997 for his R&B - Soul album called “Feeling Alright”. In this episode, Carlos talks about experiencing domestic violence as a child and the impact this had on his life and future relationships. He also explains about how his music has been an outlet for him to heal from trauma.   Join in the conversation! Use the hashtag #SheIsYourNeighbour and connect with us on social media at @SheIsYourNeighbour and...

Cheryl Haskett is an entrepreneur, who runs her goat milk ice cream company, Udderly Ridiculous, from her family’s farm in Bright, Ontario. In this episode, Cheryl talks about her previous abusive marriage and how this led her to stay in a women’s shelter in Barrie, Ontario with her two young children. We talk about the services that she was able to access while in shelter and how she uses her business, Udderly Ridiculous, to give back to organizations that support women.    Join in the...

Anna Maria Tremonti is a Canadian journalist who is well known for her hard-hitting work with CBC. In the winter of 2022, Anna Maria opened up about her experience with domestic violence, a secret she had been keeping for 40 years. In this episode, Anna Maria shares her experience dealing with the long tail of domestic violence. She talks about the shame that survivors feel and explains why she chose to share her story on her podcast, Welcome to Paradise.    Join in the conversation! Use...