Why Is It So Hard to 'Just Leave'? The Hidden Realities of Domestic Violence
Following Leads: The Podcast, Episode 6
Published: Sep. 23, 2026 at 9:50 AM EDT
In this episode of Following Leads, we sit down with Jessica Woolbright, LCSW, Executive Director of Saint Martha’s, a St. Louis organization supporting women and children impacted by domestic violence.
Together, we explore:
- What domestic violence looks like behind closed doors
- Why leaving is statistically the most dangerous time
- How abusers use isolation and children to exert control
- How friends, family, and communities can safely intervene and offer support
Watch this episode of Following Leads: The Podcast at the top of this story.
Following Leads: The Podcast is a production of The Following Leads Podcast Network & Gray Media. Watch & listen to the show on all Gray Media station websites, streaming apps or wherever you enjoy podcasts.
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