The media
The role the media played in shaping the public opinion about domestic violence cases such as Nikkis.
Focused mainly on the crime without providing full context of the abuse she delt with for years.
The factors that contribute to loved ones overlooking signs of abuse and how society plays a role in this.
Survivors minimize or hide their abuse out of fear or shame, the abusers can seem harmless in public, and victims become good at pretending everything is fine.
Ways Michelle Horton's journey transformed from a personal struggle to public advocacy.
First, Michelle is overwhelmed by grief and confusion, and her instinct was to protect her sister and make sense of what happened. She sees the criminal justice system is punishing survivors instead of protecting them.
How trauma from domestic violence impacts a person's ability to form healthy relationships in the future.
Fear of repeating the past, they might feel underserving of love and can have attachment struggles.
The role that jurors' societal attitudes about domestic violence plays in the outcome of criminal trials involving that.
Their misunderstandings about domestic abuse can heavily skew verdicts and make it harder for survivors to get justice.
How the specific language used in the media reports describing the survivors' actions influenced public perception of the case.
Painted Nikki as a criminal and made people think she was just a killer instead of a victim.
Why emotional abuse is often underestimated or normalized in relationships.
Society doesn't always teach us about the subtler forms of manipulation and survivors may not realize they're being emotionally abused.
How the book "Dear Sister" inspired readers to consider their roles in advocating for systemic change.
Revealed how easy it is to miss signs of abuse and be more attentive and informed in our everyday lives.
Guilt that family members might experience after realizing they missed signs of abuse.
Loved ones may replay past interactions feeling tormented by the signs they now recognize, may believe they should have done more and should've spoken up.
How the justice system fails to consider the safety of children when prosecuting survivor parents.
When a survivor is incarcerated children may be left in the custody of the abuser.
Potential consequences of the media prioritizing shocking details over the issues in domestic abuse scenarios.
Dehumanizes survivors and reinforces myths about abuse.
How we can recognize signs of emotional abuse both in ourselves and others.
If your constantly feeling unworthy, not good enough, and frequently being criticized.
The risks and rewards that come with sharing your story publicly.
Risks: getting re traumatized, judgment from the public, loss of privacy, and emotional exhaustion.
Rewards: empowerment, raising awareness and driving change, honoring survivors.
Why many survivors blame themselves for staying or for not recognizing the abuse earlier.
Abuse can distort reality and tactics like gaslighting make survivors question their perceptions.
Why survivors hesitate to involve law enforcement and how this affects the legal outcomes later on.
The fear of angering the abuser, and fear of being disbelieved or blamed. Abusers can argue if it was really so bad why didn't they call the police and shifts the blame on them.
The ethical responsibilities that journalists and news outlets have when reporting domestic abuse cases.
Give survivors the opportunity to share their own stories, understand that trauma impacts memory and don't glorify the abuser.
The warning signs of economic abuse, and how loved ones can step in to help if they suspect it.
When one partner has complete control over financial decisions, including how its spent and where it is kept. They can be encouraged to go to domestic violence shelters for financial support or get help from family to navigate the challenges of leaving.
How schools, workplaces, and community organizations can better educate people about responding to abuse.
Schools can introduce discussions about healthy and unhealthy relationships, and workplaces and community organizations can make it acceptable to talk about abuse without any shame.
The role shame plays in silencing survivors and delay healing.
Survivors believe sometimes they deserved it, and the shame makes them feel unworthy or broken.
How criminal convictions against the survivors affect their future with housing and employment.
Loss of custody of children, forced to unsafe living conditions, forcing them into low paying jobs.
How early media coverage has an impact on jury pools, and judicial decisions in domestic violence cases like Nikkis.
If the media paints someone as dangerous, jurors may come in with the opinion of the media.
The concept of trauma bonding and why survivors feel conflicted leaving their abusers.
The victim forms a deep emotional attachment to their abuser despite the harm, causing the victim to feel confused while recognizing the abuse.
Why it's important to center survivors' voices rather than speaking over them in advocacy work.
No one understands the complexities of abuse better than the people who have lived through it.
How secondary trauma impacts the mental health of those who support survivors.
Witnessing someone's suffering can lead to emotional fatigue and make them feel like they are carrying a weight.
The role plea bargaining plays in domestic violences cases and how it pressures survivors into unfair outcomes.
Survivors acting in self-defense are often offered a plea bargain to avoid a harsher sentence as a safer quicker option. Their often told if they refuse it, they could face decades in prison.