In this episode of The Action Line podcast, host Scott Walker sits down with Ericka Downing, the Executive Director of the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Center in Murfreesboro, to discuss the critical services provided to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Downing shares insights from her 26 years of experience working with victims, detailing the emotional and psychological complexities of abuse, such as gaslighting and coercive control, which often trap individuals in a trauma cycle and make leaving incredibly difficult. The conversation highlights the center's resources, including counseling, emergency safe shelters, orders of protection, and private forensic examination rooms, emphasizing the importance of empowering victims to make their own choices when they are ready to leave an abusive environment. Listeners also learn about the center's upcoming Costumes for a Cause fundraiser and how the local community can support their ongoing mission to provide safe, non-judgmental assistance. Click PLAY above this description to hear the entire interview. 

• Visit the Center online (Click Here), or call them at 615-896-7377.