Down the Rabbit Hole

This episode carries a content warning for domestic violence; please listen with care.  Today on Down the Rabbit Hole, we are joined by our very own CEO, Gloria Terry, and Roy Rios from the prevention team to discuss TCFV’s Amazon-funded AI Safety Council and all things domestic violence and artificial intelligence. Tuning in, you’ll hear all about the AI Safety Council, what inspired its creation, why it’s important to understand how our community is using AI in order to teach them the risks and opportunities, and so much more! We delve into the three pillars of TCFV’s focus when it comes to AI (Understand, anticipate, and prevent harm; build survivor-centered safety capacity; and help to inform and shape policy and systems responses) before discussing the Code of Ethics that was created during the AI gathering and what the Innovation Lab entailed. We also discuss the youths’ use of AI and our plans for our approach to AI amongst younger generations. Finally, we touch on why human connection will always be the most effective path to healing and how TCFV plans on staying ahead of AI in victim services. Thanks for listening!  

Content warning: This episode includes discussions of domestic violence, sexual violence, child abuse, child sexual abuse, and human trafficking. Please take care of yourself as you listen, and feel free to pause and return when you are ready. What does it take for a rural crisis center to become a resource children recognize, families trust, and an entire community helps sustain? In this episode of Down the Rabbit Hole, William and Samantha welcome Jennifer Burrows, Victim Outreach and Community Education Manager, VOCE educators Amanda Aldriedge and Jordan Medlock, and Child Advocacy Center Family Advocate Clarissa Galan from Abigail’s Arms Cooke County Family Crisis Center. The guests share how an organization that began as a local crisis hotline grew into a wide network of support for survivors and families, and how relationships, visibility, and a willingness to meet people where they are shape its work across schools and neighboring communities. They also delve into the challenges of reaching people in a rural area, the misconceptions that can stop survivors from seeking help, and the hopes guiding the team into the next school year. Tune in to hear how Abigail’s Arms is building trust long before someone needs its help, and staying ready when they do. www.abigailsarms.org Email: [email protected]

Having a dedicated team that handles coordinated domestic violence response is essential in preventing family violence. Joining us for today’s episode of Down the Rabbit Hole is TCFV’s Coordinated Response and Safety Strategies (CRSS) coordinator, Nicholas, to discuss high-risk domestic violence and coordinated responses to it. Tuning in, you’ll hear all about what DVHRT stands for, what the purpose of it is, how having a dedicated DVHRT team has assisted in this work, a little bit about the DVHRT report, and trends Nicholas is seeing in the data. We delve into action steps organizations can take as a response to this data before discussing some promising DVHRT practices and some common traits successful DVHRT community partnerships possess. Our guest even touches on the delicate nature of using survivor stories in these programs. Finally, Nicholas talks about some of the most surprising DVHRT partnerships and shares his hopes for the future of DVHRT. Please note that this episode carries a trigger warning for domestic violence, so listen with care. 

This episode includes discussions of domestic violence, sexual violence, hate crimes, anti-LGBTQ+ violence, and homicide. Please take care of yourself as you listen, and feel free to pause and return when you are ready. How can survivors feel safe asking for help when the systems meant to support them do not reflect who they are? In this episode of Down the Rabbit Hole, we welcome Johnny Argumedo, Anti-Violence Program Specialist at the Montrose Center, to discuss the realities LGBTQ+ survivors face when seeking support. Johnny shares how the Anti-Violence Program provides advocacy, therapy, case management, housing assistance, prevention services, professional training, and community outreach. He discusses barriers to safety and together we unpack what safety means beyond physical protection, how organizations can demonstrate meaningful allyship, and what accountability should look like after a harmful misstep. Johnny also explores the importance of chosen family, community connection, and creating a future where LGBTQ+ people can live and love without fear. Tune in to learn about survivor support, belonging, and building safer communities with Johnny Argumedo. https://montrosecenter.org/

This episode contains discussions of domestic violence and its impact on children and families. Listeners are encouraged to pause and care for themselves as needed.In this episode of Down the Rabbit Hole, the Prevention team is joined once again by a favorite returning guest, Barbara, for an honest conversation about the realities domestic violence survivors and families face. Together, they explore the lasting impact of abuse on family dynamics, parenting, children, and support systems, while challenging the oversimplified question of why survivors do not “just leave.”The discussion also highlights protective parenting, barriers survivors navigate within community and institutional systems, and the emotional toll these experiences can have on families. In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, we also start with a candid conversation about personal wellness practices and the importance of making space for rest and care in difficult times.Resources:The National Domestic Violence HotlineTexas Council on Family Violence (TCFV)Lundy BancroftSafe & Together InstituteChild Welfare Information Gateway

Content Warning - This episode discusses themes of domestic violence. Please listen with care. In this episode of Down the Rabbit Hole, William is joined by Tracie and Samantha from the prevention team at TCFV to unpack their guiding belief: “prevention is everything, and everything is prevention.” They explore why any point of contact, from parks to public libraries, can be an opportunity for prevention or intervention, and how stronger community partnerships expand those opportunities. The conversation highlights the importance of addressing risk and protective factors, including basic needs like food and access to health care. Throughout, they share examples of everyday interventions, from a teacher stocking easy meals for students to helping survivors access employment and stability. Listen in for a thoughtful look at how prevention shows up in everyday moments, and the role each of us can play in building safer communities.

Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussion of sexual violence, survivor experiences, and navigating the reporting and legal system. Please listen with care.  What keeps you going when you’re young, feeling overwhelmed, and trying to be heard in a system that seems bigger than you? In this episode, we begin with an open letter from young survivor Vivian Sanchez and then delve into her experiences navigating reporting and legal processes as a minor and later as a young adult. Vivian discusses self-advocacy during moments of powerlessness, how her voice and choices were perceived differently at various ages, and what kind of support actually helps instead of taking control away. She also offers guidance for educators and advocates on fostering safer spaces, respecting boundaries, and empowering young people to speak for themselves. Tune in for an honest survivor-led perspective on support, agency, and healing. Resources Mentioned in Today’s Episode: TCFVlove is respect

What does it look like to hold youth accountable for violent behavior? Today on Down the Rabbit Hole, Samantha, Tracie, Diane, and Amanda join us to discuss youth accountability. In this conversation, you’ll hear all about Amanda’s career and what led her to TCFV, what BIPP is, why we need teen-specific interventions, and so much more! We delve into how the Family Peace Initiative intervenes in youth accountability and its unique programs before discussing the topics the Center Against Sexual and Family Violence touches on during their youth programs. From the importance of parent involvement in youth accountability to co-facilitation to our hopes for the future of youth accountability, this episode covers it all, so be sure to tune in now! Please note, this episode carries a content warning for domestic violence, BIPPS, and youth violence, so please listen with care and take breaks when needed. Resources from the episode:Family Peace Initiative – Youth Initiative Programming: https://familypeaceinitiative.com/community-programs/youth-initiative Center Against Sexual and Family Violence- Teen Intervention and Prevention Program: https://casfv.org/prevention-education/teen-intervention-prevention-program LoveisRespect:https://www.loveisrespect.org/ Texas Department of Criminal Justice- Community Justice Assistance Division: Battering Intervention andPrevention Program Accreditation Guidelines: https://www.tdcj.texas.gov/documents/BIPP_Accreditation_Guidelines.pdf

Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussion of domestic violence, trauma, and homicide. Please listen with care and step away if you need a break.Behind every statistic is a life. In this episode of Down the Rabbit Hole, William sits down with Tracie and Samantha, and guest Wendy Arias, Coordinated Community Response Coordinator for the Texas Council on Family Violence (TCFV), to discuss the Honoring Texas Victims (HTV) 2024 Intimate Partner Fatality Report. Wendy walks us through how the report is created, from reviewing homicide cases to working with partners across Texas to ensure accuracy and accountability. The conversation covers key findings from the 2024 data, including trends related to firearms, age ranges, and the broader impact of intimate partner violence (IPV) on families and communities. We also discuss why victim narratives are central to the report, keeping the focus on people rather than statistics. Wendy reflects on the emotional toll of working with fatality data and the importance of community care for advocates and prevention workers. Listen in for a grounded, compassionate conversation about violence, prevention, and the human cost behind the data.

All the political and social changes that have happened this year have created challenges that have impacted prevention work. In this episode of Down the Rabbit Hole, most of the prevention team, William, Tracie, Samantha, and Vivian, reflect on 2025 and discuss what we’re looking forward to for next year. Tuning in, you’ll hear what foods are nostalgic and meaningful for us over the holidays, how this unpredictable year has impacted the way we do prevention work, and the importance of community and community care. We touch on our goals to talk about self-care and wellness in conjunction with community partnership next year. You’ll be inspired to operate from a mindset of abundance and broaden your community engagement with creativity. We are so excited to see what 2026 has in store for us! To hear all this and even learn a breathing exercise to ground you in the new year, be sure to press play now.