Season 1 Episode 26: Listening to the Voices of Survivors of Officer-Involved Domestic Violence: An Interview with Nanette Chezum

Systems ChangeSurvivor InsightsPerpetrator BehaviorPartnering With Survivors
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About This Episode

Survivors of officer-involved domestic violence (OIDV) face unique threats and challenges compared to other domestic abuse survivors. OIDV perpetrators are highly trained in violence, control, and surveillance; have access to resources to surveil and threaten the survivor; can use knowledge of the system, including the location of confidential shelters/refuges; can use their relationships with other professionals to further their abuse; and often have access to firearms.

In episode, David and Ruth interview Nanette Chezum, an OIDV survivor, about her experience of abuse. Nanette discusses:

  • How the initial trust she placed in her partner was elevated because he was a police officer

  • Her partner’s tactics of abuse and its relationship to his training and position

  • The importance of getting support and validation from the partner from another officer

  • The supportive and positive response she received from her perpetrator’s department

Additional Resources

Previous

Season 1 Episode 27: “How Much Crime Are You Willing to Let Your Police Commit?”: An Interview with Retired Lieutenant Detective Mark Wynn and Retired Police Chief Tom Tremblay
Next

Season 1 Episode 25: When Police Officers Commit Domestic Violence: An Interview with Alex Roslin