Medical advocates are crucial when it comes to supporting victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse. In this episode Billie Jo and Barbara discuss the importance and impact medical advocates have in providing survivors the help they need after a traumatic event.

Barbara Sheaffer is the Resource & Advocacy Director/Medical Advocacy Coordinator at PCAR. The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape (PCAR) is the oldest anti-rape coalition in the United States, working to eliminate all forms of sexual violence and advocating for the rights and needs of victims. Learn more at pcar.org.

ASK THE ADVOCATE is a podcast series featuring advocates for domestic violence, abuse, and sexual assault survivors discussing critical victim service resources. Sit down with Billie Jo Weyant and her guests each episode to discuss critical victim service resources and to help raise awareness for the most pressing challenges facing survivors and the nonprofit agencies that serve them. Watch all Ask the Advocate episodes at capsea.org.

Abuse allegations in the headlines can be be a triggering experience for survivors. Billie Jo and Michelle reflect on the damaging messages that the Kim Kardashian and Kanye West divorce drama is sending to victims of abuse, and to young people still exploring the dynamics of healthy vs. unhealthy relationships. As the world watches these real time examples of emotional abuse and harassment, this podcast focuses on the potential awareness opportunities and what they would like victims to know.

Michelle Cooper works with the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence (PCADV), which is the oldest statewide domestic violence coalition in the nation. Each year, its network of 59 local domestic violence programs provides free and confidential direct services to nearly 90,000 victims and survivors of domestic violence and their children in all 67 counties of the Commonwealth. Together, local programs and the statewide Coalition work in collaboration to deliver a continuum of services, support, and systems to help victims and survivors find safety, obtain justice, and build lives free of abuse. Learn more at www.pcadv.org.

ASK THE ADVOCATE is a podcast series featuring advocates for domestic violence, abuse, and sexual assault survivors discussing critical victim service resources. Sit down with Billie Jo Weyant and her guests each episode to discuss critical victim service resources and to help raise awareness for the most pressing challenges facing survivors and the nonprofit agencies that serve them. Watch all Ask the Advocate episodes at capsea.org.