190. Jessie Richards and Brooke Muir — Raising Awareness in the Fight Against Domestic Violence

Season 6 Episode 33: Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of domestic violence, which may be distressing for some listeners and not suitable for a younger audience. In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Jessie Richards, co-founder and advisory director, and Brooke Muir, executive director, at Fight Against Domestic Violence (FADV). Richards and Muir discuss their connections to the fight against domestic violence and the impact of FADV. Richards explains her academic research on domestic violence and how personal experiences motivated her to start the organization. Both highlight how domestic violence impacts all of society, not just victims, and emphasize the importance of raising awareness, improving data collection, and supporting victims through financial and community resources. The duo highlights how Utah workplaces can better address domestic violence by implementing supportive measures such as awareness training, human resources, protective orders, and childcare assistance. Richards emphasizes that simple steps, like providing resources and empathetic support, can make a significant difference for victims. They also explore the challenges faced by victims, including societal stigma and the complexities of abusive relationships, especially within Utah's religious and patriarchal culture. Help is available. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, call the 24-hour Utah domestic violence hotline at 800-897-LINK(5465) or visit the Utah Domestic Violence Coalition (UDVC) and the Utah Coalition Against Sexual Assault (UCASA) online.