Managing Violence Podcast with Joe Saunders MVP98: Domestic violence and abuse with Pamela Armitage
Dec 5, 2021
Pam Armitage, Chief Impact Officer at Study of Violence and trauma‑informed self‑defence pioneer. They discuss spotting subtle signs of abuse, handling disclosures (especially with young people), and safe, careful planning for leaving harmful situations. Conversations cover behavioural clues, privacy and exit planning, escalation risks like strangulation, and responsible support strategies.
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Trauma Informs Effective Self Defence
- Trauma-informed self-defence shifts focus from physical techniques to physiology, communication, and de-escalation.
- Pam Armitage taught mainly teenage girls, emphasizing adrenal stress response, realistic role-play, and accessible skills for vulnerable groups.
High School Classes Reveal Hidden Abuse
- Pam described that over five years she and Rich had ~40 girls disclose abuse, and only two involved strangers.
- Cases included trafficking by a family member revealed when a student froze catatonically during a mock attack.
Behavioral Signs Matter More Than Bruises
- Abuse includes many non-physical forms: emotional, financial, spiritual, religious, and neglect.
- Behavioral clues like withdrawal, isolation, sudden financial problems, and changed body language often reveal abuse more reliably than bruises.
