Episode 27: Lammy Askar of AVDA- Aid to Victims of Domestic Violence West Palm

This is your go-to Podcast, where we help parents navigate the complexities of family life. Hosted by Ali Kessler of Greyson’s Choice, we’ll cover everything from understanding domestic violence to navigating the legal system, finding the right therapists, life hacks, family law, mental health, custody battles, and how to protect children in dangerous situations. 

Empowering Domestic Violence Survivors: A Deep Dive with Lammy Askar from AVDA

Welcome to Grey Minds Think Alike! In this episode, we dive into an enlightening and empowering conversation with Lammy Askar, Chief Program Officer at Aid to Victims of Domestic Violence (AVDA). Lammy shares her extensive experience in working with youth survivors, communities, and the transformative programs AVDA offers to end cycles of abuse. Learn about AVDA’s comprehensive services, including emergency shelters, outreach programs, prevention education, and innovative resources like a text-enabled hotline. Discover crucial insights on recognizing signs of abuse, understanding different forms of violence, and the importance of prevention and empowerment. This conversation is essential for anyone invested in breaking generational patterns of abuse and promoting healing and safety for survivors. Tune in to gain valuable knowledge and support efforts to raise awareness and provide help to those in need.

00:00 Welcome and Introduction

00:47 Lammy Askar's Journey and Expertise

02:16 Overview of AVDA Services

03:24 Emergency Shelter and Transitional Housing

06:40 Collaboration with Law Enforcement

08:38 Challenges and Types of Abuse

11:19 Legal Aid and Confidentiality

21:14 Prevention and Community Education

25:05 Community Awareness and Domestic Violence

26:03 Seasonal Patterns in Domestic Violence

27:43 Recognizing Teen Dating Red Flags

35:02 Empowering Survivors Through Education

38:59 Personal Stories and Impact

45:30 Resources and Support for Survivors

About Lammy Askar- Chief Program Officer to Victims of Domestic Abuse, Inc. (AVDA)

Lammy Askar is the Chief Program Officer at AVDA – Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse, Inc., where she leads comprehensive programs focused on ending domestic and dating violence. With an extensive background in both nonprofit and educational spaces, Lammy has dedicated her career to youth advocacy, violence prevention, and systems change. She brings years of expertise in the areas of domestic abuse, child protection, and survivor empowerment, always with a deep commitment to social transformation. Lammy is a passionate educator and advocate, working to equip communities with the tools needed to create lasting safety and healing. https://www.avdaonline.org/

About Ali Kessler

Ali Kessler is a writer, marketing professional, passionate parent advocate, and founder of Greyson’s Choice, a 501(c)(3) created to raise awareness about the risk of domestic abuse on children. Greyson’s Choice was founded by Ali Kessler in memory of her sweet, vibrant, and fearless 4.5-year-old son, Greyson, who was murdered by his biological father in a murder-suicide during an unsupervised, court-approved visit in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, in 2021. This came just hours after her petition for a domestic violence injunction was denied by a Broward County judge, citing that the “petitioner has failed to allege any overt acts by the respondent which would constitute domestic violence under Florida Statute.”

Ali’s advocacy efforts culminated in the successful passage of Greyson’s Law during the 2023 legislative session. This bill now requires the court to consider threats against ex-partners or spouses when making child visitation and custody determinations in the court, expanding to include the following factors: evidence of domestic violence, whether a parent in the past or currently has reasonable cause to believe that they or a minor child is, or has been in imminent danger of becoming the victim of domestic/sexual violence by the other parent, even if no other legal action has been brought or is currently pending in court.

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