The Pursuit of Health Podcast

Ep18 (part 2) - Finding Hope with Domestic Violence, MacKenzie Bachar from Fearless!

December 31, 2021 Dr. Eric Fethke
The Pursuit of Health Podcast
Ep18 (part 2) - Finding Hope with Domestic Violence, MacKenzie Bachar from Fearless!
Show Notes

On Episode 18 Part 2 we present the final episode of our first year at The Pursuit of Health Podcast, while looking forward to much more content as we begin 2022.  We continue our important discussion on Domestic Violence with our guest, MacKenzie Bachar, the Advocacy & Education Director of Fearless! in New York's Hudson Valley.

Ms. Bachar works on the frontlines with survivors of Domestic Violence in all its forms and in collaboration with other community agencies such as the YWCA, legal professionals, and local law enforcement. She also focuses a significant portion of her efforts on educating our youth about the dynamics of Domestic Violence in schools, homes and the community at large. 

Ms. Bachar opens our minds and hearts to the dynamics of Power and Empowerment in the context of Domestic Violence. She thoroughly reviews the terminology and elements of Domestic Violence, encompassing its emotional, spiritual and physical impacts. The discussion takes an honest look at the disproportionate impact on women and marginalized members of society, including some astonishing statistics regarding murder and Domestic Violence.

As an educator and advocate, Ms. Bachar gives us a look into the future. She addresses the deep rooted, systemic causes of Domestic Violence, and highlights the need for public advocacy at all levels of society. She stresses that a focus on prevention is the only true means of eradicating Domestic Violence once and for all.

The discussion takes a more optimistic turn as Ms. Bachar explains that there have been both negative and positive impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on the work in Domestic Violence, including improved access to services through technology. 

This immensely powerful session finishes by noting the issue of the Criminalized Survivors of Domestic Violence. This includes a fortunate and well-timed announcement for our audience who are invited to attend the recorded virtual Fearless Hudson Valley 2021 Gala where the honorees include Kim Dadou Brown, a Criminalized Survivor and Advocate whose work has culminated in the 2019 passage of the Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act in New York State. 

We enter the New Year and embark on our second year of The Pursuit of Health Podcast  optimistic and energized because of our wonderful audience, guests and a growing production team. We extend a heartfelt Thank You for your support and wish you all well this holiday season. 

Upcoming topics will include the experiences of other countries with Gender Violence, the role of other Allied Medical Professionals, the impact of Infertility Medicine, and much more. 

Our team at The Pursuit of Health Podcast can be reached through Facebook and Instagram @drfethkemd and soon on our website at drfethkemd.com

Resources:
Fearless, Hudson Valley
280 Broadway, Newburgh, NY

References:

  1. https://ncadv.org/STATISTICS
  2. https://www.thehotline.org/identify-abuse/why-do-people-abuse/
  3. https://www.un.org/en/coronavirus/what-is-domestic-abuse
  4. https://assets.speakcdn.com/assets/2497/ncadv_new_york_fact_sheet_2020.pdf

Follow me on Instagram and Facebook @ericfethkemd and checkout my website at www.EricFethkeMD.com.

My brand new book, The Privilege of Caring, is out now on Amazon! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP6H6QN4