Partnered with a Survivor: David Mandel and Ruth Reymundo Mandel
This podcast is a series of conversations.
What started as a series of intimate conversations between Ruth and David that ranged from personal to professional experiences around violence, relationships, abuse, and system and professional responses which harm, not help, has now become a global conversation about systems and culture change. In many episodes, David and Ruth are joined by a global leader in different areas like child safety, men and masculinity, and, of course, partnering with survivors. Each episode is a deep dive into complex topics like how systems fail domestic abuse survivors and their children, societal views of masculinity and violence, and how intersectionalities such as cultural beliefs, religious beliefs, and unique vulnerabilities impact how we respond to abuse and violence. These far-ranging discussions offer an insider look into how we navigate the world together as professionals, as parents, and as partners. During these podcasts, David and Ruth challenge the notions which keep all of us from moving forward collectively as systems, as cultures, and as families into safety, nurturance, and healing.
We hope you join us.
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Partnered with a Survivor: David Mandel and Ruth Reymundo Mandel
Season 5 Episode 1: Sexual and Domestic Violence In the Military
Sexual and domestic violence in the military challenges recruitment, retention, team cohesion, operational readiness, security, and organizational health. Yet, most militaries around the world are still struggling to effectively address these problems. Gaps in the response harm military families and allow the destruction of the careers and health of survivors. The Safe & Together Institute, through its work with the UK Ministry of Defence, has seen the positive impact of domestic abuse–informed practice in this area.
In this episode, David and Ruth speak with Amy Braley Frank, founder of Never Alone Soldiers, and Joanna, a survivor who now advocates for others. Never Alone Soldiers advocates for the safety and well-being of military personnel and families affected by sexual or domestic violence. They assist victims, advise them, and push for greater transparency, accountability, and policy changes, leaving no one behind.
Together, they discuss:
- Current problematic military attitudes and practices in responding to perpetrators
- Silencing of victim-survivors of sexual and domestic violence
- Never Alone’s advocacy for victims and drive for systemic change
- Retention policies enabling those with histories of criminality and violence
- Adverse career impacts for service members reporting abuse
- Links between unaddressed military violence issues and domestic violence perpetration in law enforcement
Joanna shares her experiences seeking safety from domestic abuse and how policies, communication approaches, and attitudes endangered her and others. She discusses how Never Alone successfully pushed for her perpetrator’s removal. Amy defines policy and cultural changes needed to support survivors over retaining perpetrators.
Now available! Mapping the Perpetrator’s Pattern: A Practitioner’s Tool for Improving Assessment, Intervention, and Outcomes The web-based Perpetrator Pattern Mapping Tool is a virtual practice tool for improving assessment, intervention, and outcomes through a perpetrator pattern-based approach. The tool allows practitioners to apply the Model’s critical concepts and principles to their current case load in real
Check out David Mandel's new book Stop Blaming Mothers and Ignoring Fathers: How to Transform the Way We Keep Children Safe from Domestic Violence.
Visit the Safe & Together Institute website.
Start taking Safe & Together Institute courses.
Check out Safe & Together Institute upcoming events.