Ep 172: Training Attorneys to Recognize Coercive Control — With Jill Montes and Dr. Ramona
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Family court is often the last place survivors expect to or actually find safety, yet for so many, it’s where their battle continues. What if we could do something to change that?
I’m talking with Jill Montes and Dr. Ramona Probasco from the Healing While Living Free Foundation to talk about the systemic failures of family court, why survivors often lose their voice in the process, and what can actually be done to shift things, starting with training attorneys.
Together, we dive into:
- Why family court isn’t designed for abuse cases and how survivors end up at a disadvantage from the start.
- How abusers present in court vs. how survivors show up in trauma—and why courts often misinterpret both.
- The dangerous myths that persist, like “mutual abuse” or “false reporting,” and how they harm protective parents.
- Their new resource for attorneys and judges: practical do’s and don’ts to represent survivors safely and effectively.
- The role of “super traits” like empathy and loyalty that make survivors vulnerable to abuse—and how to reclaim them as strengths.
- Why training attorneys now matters for the future of family court.
We share with full honesty, lived experience, and hope for change. If you’re navigating family court or supporting someone who is, you’ll walk away with clarity, validation, and concrete ideas for next steps.
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174 episodes