Jackson Free Press

Heather Wagner

Heather Wagner credits her mother, Jane Philo, with inspiring her career in victims' rights law. Now retired, Philo spent 23 years working with victims of domestic violence in Biloxi, and …

Hop on the ‘No More’ Bandwagon

In many ways, I believe tackling domestic abuse in the football arena is the exact right place to focus. It's hard to imagine a more macho sport where power is …

Stop the ‘Boys Will Be Boys' Attitude; It Kills Women

As we approach Chick Ball weekend—starting with a poignant one-woman show about a victim of domestic abuse and ending with a celebration of women and their art—I urge everyone to …

What Happened to VAWA?

The Violence Against Women Act has been hailed as one of the most successful measures to reduce domestic abuse in the United States.

Time For Strength

I was talking to a police officer recently about a domestic-abuse situation I'm worried about. It was the case of a local woman whose partner has beaten her for years. …

[White] The War at Home

After my uncle's first deployment, he was a different person. His temper was short, and he berated my aunt about the changes she made in his absence. He wanted her …

[Mott] Happiness Worth Celebrating

For too long in Mississippi, the legal community--police, lawyers and judges--have seen domestic abuse as a problem best dealt with at home. Women bring violence on themselves, the thinking goes; …

The JFP Chick Ball is TONIGHT, Will Honor Hero Police Officer

JACKSON, MISS. – On Saturday, July 9, Jacksonians from all walks of life will unite to celebrate women and support the fight against domestic violence and at the seventh annual …

Target: Dating Violence

When Brittany started dating Jack (not their real names), she was involved in her high school's athletic program, spent time with a large group of male and female friends, and …

Are You An Abuser?

Domestic abuse can take many forms, and physical violence is only one of them. If you think you might be an abuser, here are some questions to ask yourself:

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month

The Mississippi Coalition Against Domestic Violence is honoring National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention month by promoting healthy youth relationships to prevent teen dating violence.

Don’t Look Away from Abuse

Violence isn't something that happens to other people. Every day, sexual violence happens in all neighborhoods, rich and poor.

How Clinton is Reducing Domestic Abuse

Tamra Morgan was the driving force behind putting a batterer's intervention program into the Clinton judicial system's toolkit. The program has significantly reduced domestic violence in the city.

[Mott] Not One More Victim

The bad economy and shrinking budget is not an excuse for failing to add teeth to laws protecting women.

Is It So Difficult to Imagine, Ledger?

The Clarion-Ledger has an editorial today crediting Acting Chief-Sheriff Malcolm McMillin with dealing with the Latasha Norman case quickly and effectively, which seems a bit forced (they must have also …

Batterer’s Intervention: Changing Minds, Saving Lives

Early on in Ben Ellard's career as the program manager of the Batterer's Intervention Program at Pearl's Center for Violence Prevention, he had a profound experience while processing a new …

Hinds DA Seeks to Block Abuse, Drug Testimony As Trial Moves Forward

The Mississippi Supreme Court denied Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith's appeal this morning.

‘Men of Character' Live Auction to Debut at JFP Chick Ball on July 9

Here are the "Men of Character":

In addition to the best and most chic silent auction around, the 7th Annual JFP Chick Ball will feature a live auction of Jackson "Men of Character" at the fundraising …

Scars Run Deep

Most people hear about victims of domestic violence. It's always a friend or a relative of a co-worker or that woman you passed in a crowded bar whose name is …

The Path of Least Drama

Everyone who reads me regularly knows that I despise the question "Why does she stay?" when asked about domestic-abuse victims.