Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM:  Welcome to the WebMD Health Discovered Podcast. I'm Dr. Neha Pathak, WebMD's Chief Physician Editor for Health and Lifestyle Medicine.

In today's episode, we're having an important discussion to highlight Domestic Violence. This is an issue that affects millions of people but is often shrouded in silence. Domestic violence can take many forms, including physical, mental, emotional, sexual, and financial abuse. 

Domestic violence does not discriminate. It impacts over 10 million people in the U. S. alone every year. This includes people of all genders, ages, and backgrounds, But a lot of myths and misconceptions persist. Myths like it's easy to leave or it only happens to certain people can prevent survivors from seeking the help that they need. 

It can also prevent us, the loved ones, the support system, from asking questions and offering resources that might help someone in need. Understanding the cycle is key to recognizing when someone needs our help and how we can provide support.

Today, we're going to take a step-by-step approach to domestic violence, resources, and prevention. We'll also talk about the importance of open conversations around domestic violence, whether it's with friends, family members, or even children. It's crucial to know how to approach these discussions with sensitivity and care and to offer a safe space for someone in our lives who might be affected.

We’ll highlight resources that are available for those in need and practical steps you can take if someone you know is experiencing domestic violence. At the end of our episode, we’ll discuss what you can expect when you call a domestic violence hotline.

We're hoping that with this episode, we can work together to break the silence, support survivors, and foster a culture of awareness and prevention when it comes to domestic violence. 

Let me introduce my first guest, Lyndsey Dearlove. Lyndsey is the global director of operations for No More, a groundbreaking global initiative comprised of the largest coalition of nonprofits, corporations, government agencies, media, schools, and individuals addressing domestic and sexual violence.

Welcome to the WebMD Health Discovered podcast, Lyndsey.

Lyndsey Dearlove: Thanks so much for inviting us to be part of it.

Pathak: We really appreciate you taking the time, but before we jump into our conversation, I'd love to ask about your own personal health discovery or your own aha moment around the work that you're doing with domestic violence and domestic violence survivors.

Dearlove: I was very fortunate that very early on, I knew that going forward in life, I wanted to work with women and children. I didn't particularly know which aspect of work that would be. My parents separated when I was younger. Just before I started university, both parents went on to have different relationships.

And my mom, sadly, had a relationship with somebody who was incredibly controlling and abusive. I started to slowly see how this person eroded my mom's sense of self and sense of well-being and how it took her different moments of asking for help and thinking about how she could move on. In that moment, my mum was, as many women are when they separate from a partner, trying to establish themselves economically, trying to work out how they fit into a new world with two nearly adult children and this person came along, and it really had a huge impact on my mom and my mine and my mom's relationship.

I realized that there were many other young adults and children like me who had seen changes in their parents and did not quite understand what was going on at that stage. I was quite fortunate that I moved from London, and I managed to start working with a group of women who specifically worked with survivors of domestic abuse.

It really touched my soul, knowing that this was the right place for me to be. Interestingly, I've spent the past 20 years in odd moments chatting to my mom about her experience of domestic abuse and what it felt like for her, and her understanding about what was happening.

It really spears a huge amount of inspiration to carry on with this work, to keep talking about the issue and knowing that actually, half of women in their lifetime could experience domestic abuse. And that's our friends. It's our sisters. It is our mothers. our fathers and brothers, too.

And for me, it's just that constant fuel of, like, I didn't know what to do when I was 18, and my mom and my relationship changed. That's the fuel behind the work that I do.

Pathak: Well, thank you so much for sharing your own experience. I'd love to start there because I think that this topic is so sensitive. It's so hard to share our own personal experiences of it and our loved ones' experiences of it. So, I really just want to thank you for sharing. How do we think about domestic abuse, the spectrum of it? How do we define it?

Dearlove: Gosh, it's immense, and it's enormous in many ways, and I think the very simplistic definition is always that it is a pattern of abusive behavior by one partner over another one, and that can include things like violence, coercion, intimidation, threats. control over your finances. So, the types of behavior that an abusive partner will do to exert that power and control are endless to some degree.

And when you think that you've heard all the different variations, there's another perpetrator that can come along and use tech-based tools to continue to harass and harm their partner. But I think the essence is, is that that abusive person wants to exert power and control and will slowly and surely do that through eroding.

The victim's sense of self, their independence, and economic freedom in many instances. It also happens to anybody.  I think that's always the key. We have this pre-determined understanding of who it happens to. But in reality, it can be any one of us at any point in our lives because our lives change. We enter into different interpersonal relationships following divorce; if we're young adults, if we're young people, all those relationships are moments where you could experience domestic abuse. And I think what we sometimes do is paint a picture of what that victim looks like. And actually, that victim that we've painted isn't always the reality. The reality is it's the person sitting next to you on the bus on the train. It's your girlfriend sitting across from you at dinner. Everybody can be a victim of domestic abuse at any point in their life, regardless of their economic status, job title, ethnicity, or the type of relationship that they're in.

And I think, in a way, the important thing is to switch that statement back and hear that it is not your fault. If you are in a relationship where you're experiencing domestic abuse, you did nothing to create this relationship. This is not on you, and not to feel shamed or silenced by it.

Pathak: That's really powerful. I'm really curious about when you enter into a relationship; as you mentioned, there's no particular characteristic of someone who might experience this type of relationship. So oftentimes, that, to me, would signal that you don't necessarily even recognize yourself as a victim early on, potentially.

So what are some of the things that you have seen as common threads, or what are some of the things that you've advised people to be thinking about? So even if they don't necessarily identify as a victim of this early on, they can sort of start recognizing dangerous patterns,

Dearlove:  I think the first place to start with is that we never fall in love with an aggressive, violent, controlling, coercive person. We never do. Who we fall in love with is somebody who is charismatic, engaging, invested in us as people, and probably the life and soul of the party, with a great personality on the outside that looks phenomenal.

So I think if we start on that premise and realize how would we know that this person is going to be abusive, in a way, it enables us to be a bit freer in our understanding of what we're currently experiencing in the relationship. What those that choose to be abusive do is that they are obsessed with having power and control. And so what they'll start to do is erode your sense of self by challenging what you think about yourself, challenging your relationships that you have with other people, and slowly eroding what you have in your life as your safety and your stability. And a lot of that is done under really, really straightforward statements, which seem reasonable if you were to keep them out of the wider context of what you're experiencing.

And so I think one of the first things I would always encourage everyone to do is don't date in isolation. Share with your closest friends, those that you feel safe to tell, who are you dating? What is this looking like? If you have concerns about sex, or some of their behaviors, share them. if you are that friend who your friend is confiding in, it's a difficult moment. On the one hand, you're sort of saying, well, I really want my friend to be happy and in a relationship because that's what they want.

But on the other hand, you're the ultimate sounding board. And if you affirm that. controlling possessive behavior. You're, in essence, silencing that person from speaking out about this again. So the best thing to do, if you're that friend or family member, is to challenge your friend about what's happening in their relationship.

There are really interesting things you can say that don't feel accusatory and that are quite soft and quite kind. Like, do you feel that the relationship's going as quickly as it should? Do you feel a bit uncomfortable by the things that this person is asking you to do?

Do you feel safe handing over all your passwords and your details? Why do you think he's asking you to share your location all the time? What is he saying to you to justify this switch in their behavior? And how much of his behavior, for example, is he blaming on you as the individual?

Because all of those things, in a way, are quite early indicators of some form of possessive, toxic behavior from a partner. But will it go on to be full domestic abuse? We don't know, but at that early stage, those questions are really, really key. And I think as you move through the different stages of a relationship, your friends and family members become even more important in that.

But I think it's really important to note that one of the primary options of an abusive partner is to isolate you from your support network, from your friends, from your family, from your colleagues at work, even as far away as taking you and controlling the actions that you have on social media.

So again, if you are that close friend who is able to stay in contact and someone does make a disclosure, listen without judgment and reflect back on what they're saying to you in a kind and supportive manner.

Pathak: I think we've all been in situations where we have friends, they start dating, and it almost seems like a natural by-product that they just have less time. They're just very swept off their feet. If you are that supportive friend or that sounding board for your friend who may potentially be in this sort of relationship. how do you help people balance the checking in and just ensuring that there are not these red flags around controlling behavior and just sort of the natural, yes, I am starting a new partnership with somebody

Dearlove: I want to say that it happens before that person enters into that relationship in a way that you create this environment amongst your friends, your close family members, where you are talking to each other about healthy relationships and that you are, in a way, taking moments to sort of highlight what healthy looks like. What we do very well is pull out all the things that aren't healthy in a relationship and focus significantly on that, which is incredibly important. Still, there is also something about chatting about what healthy looks like and having that as you agreed standard amongst your friends, and then in a way, it becomes sort of a little bit easier to say, Hey, you know, you've gone a little bit quiet. We're not seeing as much of you. Is this your choice? if the person says, well, at the moment, it is because I'm head over heels and I'm enjoying every moment with them, being there when they come back from that moment is incredibly important, but there are other things to see. 

We all slightly chameleon ourselves to our new partners. Maybe we suddenly like a new band that we didn't like before. We might suddenly want to do rock climbing, and we've never wanted to do that before because our new partner does. All of these sorts of changes are quite usual. But when you start to see a complete change in your friend, perhaps they are suddenly dressing very differently, or they've gone from being a really bubbly and outgoing person to suddenly becoming quite quiet and withdrawn. These are concerning things because that dramatic change is what the concern is. What's happened for someone to revert to such a massive change? And again, it's those open questions, not accusatory, listening without judgment. and I can't emphasize enough the power of just listening and being able to tell somebody without having that judgment.

Because at the same time, if their new partner is abusive, they are more than likely whispering in their ear and saying, every time you go out with your friends, you come back a little bit upset. The last time when you went with your friends, we had a massive argument, and we didn't speak for three days. So actually it's your friends that are the problem, not me. And so you're, in a way, without realizing it, allowing this abusive person to take your kind and caring behavior and manipulate it. So, I would always encourage you to ask open questions and continue to be there. It's hard, but just continue to be that safe place and that constant for somebody if you are concerned.

Pathak: I'm also curious about additional resources or moving on to what we often hear about, like the hotlines and the work that you do. When would you recommend that to a friend? When should you start thinking about that yourself if you are in a relationship that you're concerned about?

Dearlove: It's an interesting journey in a way for that moment of deciding when it's right for you to reach out to a specialist advocacy service. For some survivors, some victims they will say that they did it quite early on in their relationship, and they spent a number of months talking to an advocate, designing their plan about how they would leave safely, and then working with them after they've left to support that, their safety.

So that journey is dependent, most importantly, on the survivor's needs and wants at that moment. I would say there is never too early a time to call an advocacy service to talk about what you're concerned about. They will be able to sort of give you some really interesting steps and things to consider if you want to move on from that relationship.

But in the same instance, it's never too late to call an advocacy service. If something has happened and you found yourself fleeing your home or your partner has been removed from the home because they've been arrested. That's the perfect time. It was a perfect time. Two days after that. It's never too late.

Advocacy services across the U. S. and around the world are all ready and waiting to respond to the needs of survivors. And whoever answers that phone is equipped and understanding of what your situation is and will be able to work with you to find the best way safest route and the one that's most suitable for you and your children. So that's in one hand without question. Those services are available and they are incredible. And the women that work behind those services are, you know, it's fueled by survivors experiences and they are constantly adapting services to meet how needs change.

With the emergence of tech-based abuse, there's a lot of learning and understanding about how we respond to that. The other thing to consider is that anybody who's living in a relationship where domestic abuse is happening they are constantly ensuring that they are as safe as they can be.

And that means in a way that they have lots of safety mechanisms put in place and that they are managing the information which they share because if, for example, they were to disclose they're experiencing abuse and they weren't to get a safe response, the perpetrator knowing that they've made this disclosure could exaggerate their risk, and actually at the point of separation, everybody's risk is at a significant height.

So the key point in that is always ensuring that the survivor or victim survivor is at the center of that decision making process. But on the flip side of all of that, it's how do we respond as those closest to those enduring domestic abuse? It is incredibly difficult. you know, our first reaction as human beings is always to fix things. When it gets too difficult, too much, we go into practical mode. We want to say, Hey, we can, sort this out for you. And although that is helpful, It's only really helpful for us in this moment. The person who's made the disclosure to you has sort of taken this bit of information, which is incredibly risky if they tell anybody, and chosen to tell you. How you respond in that moment is crucial.

It's really important that you listen without judgment. And that is such an easy statement to make, but actually, a really difficult thing to do, especially if you know their partner. Perhaps that partner is a family member of yours, or it's somebody within the community that you have grown to know, or even if that person is sitting in a position of power within the community or faith-based organization.

Your first reaction as a human being is shock and disbelief. And that's completely okay, because you weren't expecting this news. How you manage that shock and disbelief is important. What the survival victim-survivor has been told persistently by their abusive partner is that nobody will believe you if you tell anybody.

So I would always encourage somebody to, as hard as it is, hold that shock and surprise and answer with a simple like, are you okay? Can I do anything for you right in this moment? And that could be something like getting them a glass of water, making sure they've had something to eat, but ultimately confirming that you believe what they have to say.

Then, your next step is creating an opportunity for them to speak to a specialist advocacy service. Individually, we can't do this. We need the help from the specialist advocacy services because they are very mindful about risk and about safety and all the other options. For example, housing, working with the criminal justice system, working with the civil justice system, making sure the children are okay, they're seeing the whole picture, and they will be brilliantly about working through all those different steps.

What you could do, which could be life-changing, is create that safe space to engage with that advocacy service. So if you're a friend or family member, that could mean allowing them to use your mobile phone, make the phone calls whilst on a play date with your mutual children. Or if you're an employer, it could be allowing that person to make those calls during their lunch break or setting time aside during the workday so they can engage with them free and safe of being found.

Both of those things are crucial. The other thing that I'd always mention is, we want process to be guided by the survivor, allowing them to make the choices about what they do next. Be a constant. There's nothing wrong with always asking if that person is okay and if they need anything.

If we've got deep concerns about children, we have processes that we need to follow around that. But as a friend or family member, staying constant is really, really important. And then knowing that you also can access support. That the help lines and hotlines that are available will also guide and offer you support about how to manage a quite difficult situation, especially if you are seeing that the situation is getting significantly worse and you're trying to figure out ways in which you can help somebody, knowing you have someone to talk to is important just as much as being the person that your friend can talk to or family member.

Pathak: And that's really, really helpful, particularly around thinking about some of these resources for you as someone that might be a safe space to help somebody in this type of relationship. I'm also curious, just in terms of the health aspects, what are some of the resources that help people in these types of relationships deal with some of the physical health impacts and mental health impacts? 

Dearlove: I mean, that's immense, isn't it? I mean, what we do know is that a significant amount of victims and survivors of domestic abuse will go on once they've separated and experienced other psychological and physiological impacts of domestic abuse. And that starts with mental health to many degrees whilst in that relationship, and obviously, post-relationship, the level of intimate terrorism that you could experience can have an impact on your mental health.

At the same time your abusive partner is using gaslighting techniques to undermine your mental health and your sense of self and wellbeing. There is a moment when we'll often talk about the recovery journey, and that's different for everybody at different levels. different times. Some people may choose to enter into talking therapy quite early on after separation. Sometimes, while they're considering separating from their abusive partner. Talking therapies are brilliant, but they do require you to dig into yourself quite a lot and explore other aspects. So encouraging somebody to make that choice at their own pace and own time is really, really crucial.

I think that's the one piece of it. On the other side of it, obviously, there's a huge amount of physical ailments that can be attributed to the impact of domestic abuse. Some of that can be if your abusive partner is acting as a carer or has any level of control over your health and well-being. We know we have further concerns about the caring capacity and what that could mean for you having access to all the different forms of support that are available.

The other piece is now, we're learning more and more about traumatic brain injury and how that's having a further impact on survivors of domestic abuse. I think the most important thing to say at this moment is that everyone thinks that domestic abuse ends at the point of separation. And so leaving would mean everything that you're currently experiencing would stop. But the reality is that at that point of separation, the risk is significantly higher, and the months, if not years after separation, are recovery. There are a lot of challenges and things that you may face that will need to be overcome as a result of the domestic abuse that you've experienced.

And you may not feel that they're linked until you finally get through that journey and you're on a different side of it and you sort of saying, ah, now I can see the connectivity of it. I would always say if you have a good primary care doctor that you feel comfortable and safe with, tell them what you've experienced. It's not a prerequisite, but sometimes it can be really helpful when you start talking about the other elements and what you're going to the doctor about. Giving the fuller picture and your experience in your interpersonal relationships is part of you, and it's okay to talk about it.

Pathak: I'd love it if you could talk us through all of the different, broad variety of resources because, as you've mentioned, we now have tech-based potential patterns of abuse. We have what we think about in our minds when we think about domestic abuse. So what are some of the resources that are available for victims and their supporters, their allies?

Dearlove: So it's sort of an immediate response that will always come from your hotlines or helplines, your national hotlines and helplines, or your statewide hotlines. The advocates that are sitting at the end of those phones will be able to work with you through all your different options, from housing, which could be moving into a women's and children's shelter.

It could be staying within your home and using legal remedies to secure your home and keep you safer than the home. for example, getting protection orders. The other thing that they can do is really support you through the legal journey, which could be. getting a divorce, working through child contact, all of that good stuff.

And then the other piece is really sort of untangling the economic abuse and what that means for you regarding long-term debt, how you can manage that. And so I would always recommend an advocacy service being like a central point of contact and then working with you to link you with all the other agencies to enable you to leave the relationship safely, firstly, and then secondly, to move on in a way that is safe and secure for you and your children. 

Obviously, if it's an immediate risk of immediate harm, calling 9 1 1 is, is important. knowing that they need to respond immediately is really key; those are the first steps, first stages. Those are things that you can do. The other areas where you can gain support are free things like survivor forums. So, No More has a share-your-story platform called No More Silence. And what it enables you to do is, is share your story, your experience of domestic abuse. If you were a child like me who grew up in a home where you witnessed domestic abuse, or you yourself are seeing domestic abuse. You can share your story with fellow survivors within that space. Not only are you able to gain support, but you're also indirectly supporting somebody else. So if you feel safe to do so, No More Silence is there or Facebook groups, such as Speak Your Truth Today, which is run by the NGO Speak Your Truth Today. We have on our No More website an incredibly detailed resource called a survivor's guide. That is filled with tips and suggestions about the different types of domestic abuse that can be experienced. And that's a great resource.

Another thing you can do is have a good look at some of the early intervention prevention tools that are available. If you're concerned about your young person, your young adult who's starting relationships, start early. Have conversations about what healthy looks like, and really broach the subjects about what is the difference between caring from a parent and possessiveness from a new partner. How do you manage sharing your location with your mom and dad to a partner that's suddenly asking you to do that when you're a young person? How do you navigate this new world where you have relationships both in real life and online? So there's lots and lots of tools and resources available about healthy relationships and having those conversations with your young people. What we do know is that those early conversations can have a huge positive impact going forward.

Pathak: I really just want to thank you so much for this conversation. I would love if we could give you the final time to just help us through some bite sized tips that people can carry with them.

Dearlove: I would start by saying download the free app called Bright Sky US. if you're in the UK, it's Bright Sky. And if you're in a number of different other territories around the world, you'll be able to find it. This app is filled with tips and suggestions about recognizing a healthy and unhealthy relationship.

It gives you two healthy relationship questionnaires. So if you're concerned about someone, you can do that questionnaire and it will sort of give you prompts about what you should do next. But most importantly, it provides a directory of services. The U S one, bright sky U S for the whole of the U S and Canada.

And it has all the shelters and advocacy services. So if somebody ever makes a disclosure to you and you don't know what to do with that app, you'll be able to put them in contact with that specialist support service almost immediately. And that is life changing and life saving. That would be my first thing.

And then my second thing is if you are with your group of girls and you're having a glass of wine, or you're having a cup of tea, or you're having a good laugh, switch the conversation to what healthy looks like in a relationship and set sort of your combined standards there. And then, any future relationships that you have amongst your friends, you have that center point to come back to.

And as much as we want to affirm our friends relationship status, them being safe and healthy, both physically and mentally, and emotionally well, is most important. And sometimes, saying goodbye early isn't always a bad thing.

Pathak: I want to thank Lindsey Dearlove of the No More organization for being with us today to talk about domestic violence, healthy relationships, and how to discuss this topic with our loved ones. To find out more information about Lindsay and her work, visit no more. Org or check out our show notes. 

We’re pivoting now to a conversation we had with Denise Murray from the National Domestic Violence hotline. Picking up the phone and reaching out to a stranger for information and support can be daunting. Our talk with Denise is focused on providing you, our listeners, with insight into what you can expect when you make that phone call.

Denise Murray: Hi, I'm Denise Murray. I am a senior manager at the National Domestic Violence Hotline. I've been with the hotline for nine years. I have 18 years of professional experience working with at risk populations. My passion is supporting survivors and raising awareness about domestic violence.

If you are or know someone in a domestic violence relationship, it can be hard to talk about for various reasons that can include feelings of shame or fear. When I think about how challenging and difficult that is to carry, it is a constant reminder of the complexities of domestic violence. 

Growing up, I had a friend confide in me about their experience with their partner. I wanted them to leave and be okay. But didn't quite understand the dynamics of domestic violence at the time. I wanted to fix it. What I learned from them was I needed to stop pushing my own solutions on them and listen. In time, with the right support, they were able to make choices for their own well-being. That shift in how I approached the situation made a difference

Pathak:  So the National domestic violence hotline operates 24/7 and handles crisis situations. Can you walk us through that step by step?

Murray: Handling crisis situations involves several key steps, tailored and customized to each survivor that reaches out. Sometimes, we may be the first point of contact for a survivor and we understand, recognize, and acknowledge they may be reluctant or fearful to share details about their abusive relationships with us.

We actively listen and ask general assessment questions to understand the survivor's needs. And depending on what that need is, it could lead to safety planning, connecting them to services, or just providing support in the moment. 

Pathak: Can you walk us through the process when someone first calls the 24 hour domestic violence hotline? What can they expect? 

Murray: When a survivor contacts the hotline, they are immediately connected to a trained advocate who provides compassionate support and trauma informed care. During the call, chat, or text, the advocate listens to the survivor's experience and assesses their immediate safety needs. We provide information about available resources such as shelters, legal assistance, and counseling services.

We also share tools and strategies to help the survivor regain control over their life and self care tips. Our priority is their safety in empowering survivors to make their own decisions instead of imposing judgments or directives by telling them what to do. This approach helps shift power back to the survivor, supporting them in making life changing choices that aligns with their needs and situation.

Pathak: You mentioned that the hotline doesn't tell survivors what to do but instead focuses on empowerment. Can you explain how that works? What would you say in that scenario to empower them?

Murray: We recognize that leaving an abusive partner isn't always the safest choice. It's important to be aware that they've often experienced being told what to do by their abusive partners, which can lead to feelings of powerlessness and distrust in their ability to make decisions for themselves. Here at the hotline, we create a safe and supportive environment where they feel respected and heard. Ultimately, they know their situation best. So, we provide information about options and encourage them to explore and reflect on what feels right for them.

Our approach involves asking some questions as a way of empowering survivors to make decisions about their safety. This encourages them to explore options that resonate with their own needs and circumstances by reinforcing their autonomy. We celebrate their choices and offer resources to help them navigate their unique paths, acknowledging that leaving an abusive relationship is a personal journey.

Pathak: What are some common myths or misconceptions that in your experience, may prevent someone from picking up the phone and making that first phone call?

Murray: Some of the myths that we hear is they won't be believed. A lot of times, they've reached out to family members, friends, law enforcement, and even the legal system. Depending on the type of abuse, if they share, it's emotional abuse. A lot of times, they're not able to access shelters because there isn't anything physical.

When they go in front of the judge, sometimes if they don't have any documentation, that's something that they're shunned; family, friends, they may feel like, Oh, that's just normal. You're being too sensitive. And so hearing this over and over again can prevent survivors from reaching out because they don't know when they reach the hotline of this anonymous person that they don't know, compared to people who do know them, they will still not believe their truth.

Even if your loved one isn't ready to take steps, you may want them to, you can communicate that you are there for them if they ever want to talk or need support. This opens the door for communication without the pressure and shows your loved one that they are not alone.

Here at the hotline, we're available 24 hours, seven days a week, including holidays, and we can be reached at 1 800 799 SAFE. 1 800 799 7233.

Pathak: Thank you both for joining us. 

Today, we’ve talked with Lyndsey Dearlove from No More and Denise Murray from the National Domestic Violence Hotline about the impact of domestic violence and abuse. 

Lyndsey has given us deep insight into the complexities of domestic violence, highlighting its far-reaching impact and the importance of ongoing support for survivors – providing us with helpful tools and resources for those impacted. 

And Denise has given us a powerful look into the work being done on the 24/7 domestic violence hotline, highlighting the compassionate, trauma-informed approach that empowers survivors to make their own decisions. From actively listening to addressing safety needs and dispelling myths about support, the hotline serves as a critical lifeline for those in crisis. 

Lyndsey and Denise both shared powerful stories from their own personal experiences with domestic violence, which have shaped their dedication to supporting survivors. Their stories remind us of the impact domestic violence can have on families and loved ones and the critical role that understanding and empathy play in helping those impacted by domestic violence. 

To find out more information about Lyndsey and Denise’s work, we’ll have their information, along with resources, linked in our show notes. 

Thank you for listening. Please take a moment to follow, rate, and review this podcast on your favorite listening platform. If you’d like to send me an email about topics you are interested in or questions for future guests, please send me a note at [email protected]. This is Dr. Neha Pathak for the WebMD Health Discovered Podcast.