On October 1, 2021, the Clinic debuted an original podcast, “Shouting from the Rooftops: Destigmatizing Domestic Violence.” Conversations expose and explore the challenges that face those who experience domestic violence and how the intersectionality of survivors’ other identities affects their road to independence. Please email podcast@nslegalaid.org if you are interested in being a guest on a future episode. We would like to include as many voices as possible.
Episode 1: Domestic Violence and Judaism Part 1
North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic Director of Domestic Violence Law Practice, Rebecca Weininger, speaks with Jessie Becker, a graduate of Tulane University and former AmeriCorps VISTA Member at the Clinic.
Episode 1: Domestic Violence and Judaism Part 2
North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic Director of Domestic Violence Law Practice, Rebecca Weininger, speaks with Barbara Siegel, Clinical Director of Shalva.
Episode 2: Domestic Violence in the LGBTQ+ Community
North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic Director of Domestic Violence Law Practice, Rebecca Weininger, speaks with Marissa, an LGBTQ project coordinator and facilitator of middle school and high school groups.
Episode 3: A Discussion about Teens by Teens in Honor of TDVAM
For Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, Rebecca Weininger of the North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic talks with high school students, including two students on the Clinic’s Regional Student Leadership Board, about the experience of dating in high school. This episode deals with first relationships, the power in controlling responses to emotions, the theory of ‘Kids Getting Older Younger’ (KGOY), and unrealistic expectations of parasocial relationships. Liv, Ela, and Noah shared their honest opinions about their experiences as teenagers and dating in high school so other teens know they aren’t alone feeling however they’re feeling.
Episode 4: Domestic Violence and Disabilities
This episode is about how much people with disabilities give up for their independence, including their own safety. Rebecca Weininger of the North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic interviews Brett and Eric, who work at RAMP, a non-profit, non-residential Center for Independent Living. RAMP emulates Independent Living Philosophy with a mission to build an inclusive community that encourages individuals with disabilities to reach their full potential. When survivors of domestic violence also have disabilities, survivors may have to choose between reporting the abuse and being sent to a nursing home where they lose their independence and, possibly, their identity, or suffering the abuse in order to remain independent. This choice, the lack of information for people with disabilities about relationships and about people with disabilities in relationships, and the importance of education and certification of personal assistants are all discussed in this episode.
Episode 5: Young Mothers and Domestic Violence
This is the story of a young mother who slowly and gradually found herself in a dangerous domestic violence situation. Rebecca Weininger of the North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic talks with Marlene, who tells her story of escape. The dangers of cyclical domestic violence and manipulation that she faced as a young woman and mother of two are both common and extremely dangerous. Her story is inspirational. There is hope when a survivor is ready and is safe enough to make the very personal decision to leave, there is support and there is happiness waiting. The Clinic is one resource to help you get there. We hope to continue telling Marlene’s story with additional podcast episodes in the future. Content Warning: This episode contains a graphic and raw emotional discussion of domestic violence. Please take care of yourself if this discussion contains content that is triggering in any way.
Episode 6: Intersectional Domestic Violence as a Korean immigrant woman, single mom, and former sex worker - Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Jen is an intersectional survivor. She was targeted as an immigrant, as a Korean immigrant, as a single mother, as a student, as a club-worker, as a self-aware woman who is dedicated to her and her son’s survival. From the perspective she has earned on the precipice of graduating from graduate school, Jen honors the podcast with her story of human trafficking, fighting to be believed and seen in the family law court system, and the particular dangers facing Asian American and Pacific Islander women. This Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, please listen to Jen.
Episode 7: Domestic Violence in the LGBTQ+ Community with Center on Halsted
Rebecca Weininger of the North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic Interviews Aster and Luke, who work at Center on Halsted. Center on Halsted is the Midwest's most comprehensive community center dedicated to advancing community and securing the health and well-being of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) people of Chicagoland. Center on Halsted sets a precedent for what programming should look like for the anti-violence and empowerment support of LGBTQ+ individuals. The discussion upends the preconceived notions and attachments even the most devoted of allies bring to allyship.
