Jennifer Hutton is the CEO of Women's Crisis Services of Waterloo Region and she has passionately led the organization since 2018. In this special, bonus episode of She Is Your Neighbour, Jen discusses her journey in social services. She also shares her personal connection to the issue and talks about the impact of femicide, as well as the evolution of domestic violence awareness.   Join in the conversation! Use the hashtag #SheIsYourNeighbour and connect with us on social media at @SheIsYourNeighbour and @WomensCrisisSWR. Follow us on and Instagram and Tik Tok Join the Neighbourhood Newsletter to stay up to date with the She Is Your Neighbour Team!Thank our episode sponsor, Shimco.

Serena works at the Healing of the Seven Generations in Waterloo Region as a Program Manager and Bail Supervisor.  In this episode, Serena shares her personal experience with domestic violence and how it led to the loss of her mother’s life when Serena was only 9 years old. She was taken into care through the foster care system and over the years, she has continued to learn more about her Indigenous roots, which led her to the work she is doing today.  Join in the conversation! Use the hashtag #SheIsYourNeighbour and connect with us on social media at @SheIsYourNeighbour and @WomensCrisisSWR.    Follow us on and Instagram and Tik Tok Join the Neighbourhood Newsletter to stay up to date with the She Is Your Neighbour Team! Thank our series sponsor, Shimco.

Qwuy’um’aat works as a Senior Strategic Advisor at BC Housing. She is also the owner of Ever Plan Consulting and an Instructor at Vancouver Island University where she teaches Indigenous Lands Management and Indigenous Community Planning.   In this episode, Qwuy’um’aat talks about the challenges that Indigenous women face, particularly in relation to gender-based violence and housing insecurity. She shares her personal experiences and professional insights, emphasizing the need for culturally safe housing and community support for Indigenous women.  Join in the conversation! Use the hashtag #SheIsYourNeighbour and connect with us on social media at @SheIsYourNeighbour and @WomensCrisisSWR. Follow us on and Instagram and Tik Tok Join the Neighbourhood Newsletter to stay up to date with the She Is Your Neighbour Team!  Thank our series sponsor, Shimco.

Amber is a Counsellor at Ganohkwasra Family Assault Support Services.   In this episode, Amber talks about the various programs offered by Ganohkwasra, including safe shelter, counselling, and other supports for women, men, youth and children seeking safety from violence. She also talks about the work she does with  missing and murdered Indigenous women and families, and the role culture plays in Indigenous healing.  Join in the conversation! Use the hashtag #SheIsYourNeighbour and connect with us on social media at @SheIsYourNeighbour and @WomensCrisisSWR.  Join in the conversation! Use the hashtag #SheIsYourNeighbour and connect with us on social media at @SheIsYourNeighbour and @WomensCrisisSWR. Follow us on and Instagram and Tik Tok  Join the Neighbourhood Newsletter to stay up to date with the She Is Your Neighbour Team!   Thank our series sponsor, Shimco.

Destiny Bailey is the Program Coordinator at Abbey House – a transitional home for women with or without children who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, or who are facing other trauma and crisis situations. In this episode, Destiny shares her powerful journey as an Indigenous woman who has faced and overcome significant challenges, including domestic violence, human trafficking, addiction and incarceration.  This episode is part of special series, launching for International Women’s Day  “Empowering Indigenous Women”. In this series, we are celebrating strong Indigenous women moving beyond violence, while exploring the impact that gender-based violence has on Indigenous communities.  Join in the conversation! Use the hashtag #SheIsYourNeighbour and connect with us on social media at @SheIsYourNeighbour and @WomensCrisisSWR.   Follow us on Instagram and Tik Tok  Join the Neighbourhood Newsletter to stay up to date with the She Is Your Neighbour Team!  Before we get started, I’d like to thank our series sponsor, Shimco.  

Brandon Chadwick is the host of a popular podcast called, Narcissist Apocalypse. Narcissist Apocalypse is a raw and unfiltered podcast that gives a voice to survivors of domestic abuse – it’s also an online community and peer support group.  In this episode, we talk to Brandon about the evolution of Narcissist Apocalypse and the role that shame and stigma plays in survivors sharing their stories. We also talk about the power of peer support and how it can can help survivors build confidence, make connections and heal from trauma.  Join in the conversation! Use the hashtag #SheIsYourNeighbour and connect with us on social media at @SheIsYourNeighbour and @WomensCrisisSWR.

Christine Taylor is the Program Manager at the Sexual Assault Domestic Violence Treatment Centre out of St. Mary’s Hospital and Cambridge Memorial Hospital in Waterloo Region.  In this episode of She Is Your Neighbour we talk to Christine about the dangers of strangulation and escalating physical abuse, how The Family Violence Project provides wrap around support for survivors of gender-based violence and how we can all support our neighbours by creating a culture of openness.   Join in the conversation! Use the hashtag #SheIsYourNeighbour and connect with us on social media at @SheIsYourNeighbour and @WomensCrisisSWR.

Oluseun Olayinka is the Executive Director at Adventure4Change in Waterloo, Ontario. In this episode, Oluseun explains how cultural norms can influence the way a person navigates an abusive relationship, as well as the role the couple’s family, friends, and faith community may have in determining how to move forward. We also talk about the work Adenture4Change does to eliminate barriers for new Canadians to help them thrive. Join in the conversation! Use the hashtag #SheIsYourNeighbour and connect with us on social media at @SheIsYourNeighbour and @WomensCrisisSWR.

Christina Silva and Christy Phillips work at Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region. Christina is the Outreach Supervisor and Christy is a Child and Youth Worker. In this episode of She Is Your Neighbour we talked to Christina and Christy about the various ways that domestic violence impacts children and the importance of safety planning. We also talk about financial abuse and about how it can impact the entire family.   Join in the conversation! Use the hashtag #SheIsYourNeighbour and connect with us on social media at @SheIsYourNeighbour and @WomensCrisisSWR. Women’s Crisis Services provides Safe Shelter, Outreach Support, Prevention and Education to women and children in Waterloo Region experiencing domestic violence.  

Sara Casselman is the Executive Director at the Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region.  In this episode, we talk to Sara about myths and misconceptions surrounding sexual violence, the intersection between domestic violence and human trafficking, and what Sexual Assault Support Centres can do to help community members who have experienced sexual violence.   Join in the conversation! Use the hashtag #SheIsYourNeighbour and connect with us on social media at @SheIsYourNeighbour and @WomensCrisisSWR.

Julie Lalonde is an author, public educator and a survivor of domestic violence.  In the first episode of She Is Your Neighbour: Back to Basics, we talk to Julie about her personal experience with domestic violence and stalking, and how it led her to write her book, Resilience is Futile, the Life and Death and Life of Julie S Lalonde. Julie also spoke about bystander intervention strategies and the problem with glamorizing suffering through resilience.  Join in the conversation! Use the hashtag #SheIsYourNeighbour and connect with us on social media at @SheIsYourNeighbour and @WomensCrisisSWR.

Stephanie Bryenton is a Reconciliation, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Advisor at the Region of Waterloo. A former child protection worker and Indigenous advocate, Stephanie now works to support Indigenous partners across the Region. She also runs a small business with her sister called Wiingashk Sisters to honour the legacy of their mother through beadwork.  In this episode, we talk to Stephanie about her work as a child protection worker and how it led her to the work she does today. We also talk about and the importance of community partnerships, advocacy work, reconciliation and unique ways of healing after experiencing loss.   Join in the conversation! Use the hashtag #SheIsYourNeighbour and connect with us on social media at @SheIsYourNeighbour and @WomensCrisisSWR.

Ren Navarro is the founder of B. Diversity, a company that brings equity, diversity and inclusion to the craft beer industry and beyond. After seeing a lack of representation in the beer industry, Ren made it her mission to diversify the way that beer is perceived, highlighting there is no one type of person who drinks beer and changing marketing campaigns isn’t enough — policies need to reflect that too! In this episode, we talk to Ren about what harm reduction looks like in the beer industry, unique examples of gender-based violence in the beer industry and about how policies need to reflect the changing needs of different industries.  Join in the conversation! Use the hashtag #SheIsYourNeighbour and connect with us on social media at @SheIsYourNeighbour and @WomensCrisisSWR.

Pamela Cross is a feminist lawyer, advocate and an expert on violence against women and the law. Pamela has been an expert witness on Inquests and Inquires across Canada to make recommendations to prevent future femicides from occurring. In this episode, we talk to Pamela about the difference between an Inquest and Inquiry, the consequences of criminalizing coercive control and talk about what needs to change in the legal system. Join in the conversation! Use the hashtag #SheIsYourNeighbour and connect with us on social media at @SheIsYourNeighbour and @WomensCrisisSWR.

Amy Kaufman is a mom and advocate for survivors of domestic violence. During her marriage to a famous sports broadcaster, Amy experienced domestic violence which escalated during her pregnancy. Her experience also included a lengthy, public court battle for all to see and hear. Following her experience, Amy has become an advocate for survivors, using her story and her network to support others. Join in the conversation! Use the hashtag #SheIsYourNeighbour and connect with us on social media at @SheIsYourNeighbour and @WomensCrisisSWR.

Iona is an equity, diversity and inclusion consultant and professor. After experiencing domestic violence in a past relationship, Iona recognized a gap in messaging and support around domestic violence in marginalized communities. In this episode, we talk to Iona about the unique struggles that are faced by marginalized communities who experience domestic violence, the importance of intersectionality in talking about complex social issues and how visibility can support those who are worried about sharing their story. Join in the conversation! Use the hashtag #SheIsYourNeighbour and connect with us on social media at @SheIsYourNeighbour and @WomensCrisisSWR.

Growing up, Jude lived in an abusive household. As an adult, he works with men to hold them accountable when they use violence against their families and partners. In this episode, Jude tells us about his story of domestic violence and shares his experience working with men through Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region’s Engaging Men program. He also explains the importance of early intervention strategies to prevent domestic violence from happening in the future.   Join in the conversation! Use the hashtag #SheIsYourNeighbour and connect with us on social media at @SheIsYourNeighbour and @WomensCrisisSWR.

Dr Katreena Scott is the Academic Director of the Centre for Research and Education on Violence Against Women and Children. In this episode, we learn about why people use violence in relationships, the cycle of violence and the psychology behind how and why violence escalates.  Join in the conversation! Use the hashtag #SheIsYourNeighbour and connect with us on social media at @SheIsYourNeighbour and @WomensCrisisSWR.

After a near-fatal altercation with her ex-boyfriend in 1997, Colette Martin spent many years trying to process her experience. In this episode of She Is Your Neighbour, Colette talks about the red flags leading up to the night of the attack, her experience healing from trauma and how she is using her story to inspire others to be better neighbours.  Join in the conversation! Use the hashtag #SheIsYourNeighbour and connect with us on social media at @SheIsYourNeighbour and @WomensCrisisSWR.

Marlene Ham is the Executive Director of Ontario Association of Interval and Transitional Houses. In this episode, we talk with Marlene about the discourse around femicide, femicide rates in Ontario and how we can prevent more deaths from happening in the future. Join in the conversation! Use the hashtag #SheIsYourNeighbour and connect with us on social media at @SheIsYourNeighbour and @WomensCrisisSWR.