There are always “moving moments” at any PADV gathering. Survivors speak. We hear stories of hope recovered following tragic and dangerous beginnings. Sadly, most often, the menacing behavior has been at the hands of men – literally and figuratively. It is almost breathtaking when a survivor shares a story about a good man, or a few good men who played a role in their survival. At least it is for me. Such was the case recently when I attended PADV’s “When Domestic Violence Goes to Work” conference and heard a survivor’s story about how two male work colleagues met her at her car each morning to ensure her safe entry to work and escorted her back to her car each evening. They did this for years. They believed her. They feared for her. They helped to protect her. And, I suspect, unwittingly helped to restore her faith in “man”kind. I admit it; I [...]

Earlier this week, we asked the question on PADV’s Facebook page, “What does empowerment mean to you?”  After many of our loyal fans shared their insights, I noticed a thread of reoccurring themes: freedom, opportunities and choices. This got me thinking about the insidious link between poverty and intimate partner violence. Unequivocally, poverty reduces options for domestic violence survivors.  That’s why it’s paramount to ensure that battered women find and/or retain employment.  Financial independence leads to self-sufficiency that coincides with opportunities, choices and ultimately freedom from an abusive relationship. Because economic empowerment is a means to ending both poverty and domestic violence, PADV recruited Second Chance Employment Services President and Founder, Ludy Green, PhD, to present at the 10th annual “When Domestic Violence Goes to Work” conference. Green’s nonprofit organization provides meaningful employment for survivors of intimate partner violence. Battered women face a number of employment barriers such as increased tardiness [...]