This year’s Celebrating Success gala took place at Brae Burn Country Club on May 7th, 2026. Two of our staff attorneys, Jordan and Jessica, each shared why this work is important to them. We’re excited to be able to share their remarks with you. Note: Jessica could not attend Celebrating Success live, so Emcee Joyce […]
In recent weeks, several high-profile domestic violence homicides have made national headlines, cases connected to public figures and, closer to home, the devastating killing of Emma Pasterczyk in Amherst and two children in Wellesley. These stories are shocking. They capture our attention. They raise urgent questions. But they are not the full picture. Every day, […]
By Sue Ross, CEO of The Second Step I just finished reading Without Consent, a book recommended to me by a friend and colleague. The timing felt especially significant, as April marks Sexual Assault Awareness Month, an annual campaign to raise public awareness about sexual assault and educate communities and individuals on how to prevent sexual […]
By Sue Ross, CEO of The Second Step A recent Boston Globe article explored the emotional toll on hairstylists and other care professionals who find themselves holding their clients’ deepest, most personal stories. I recognize and appreciate just how much emotional labor that represents. Hairstylists are not therapists, and it is incredibly difficult to hold […]
On Monday, April 20, runner Yahni Lapa will take her place at the starting line of the Boston Marathon, known as one of the most iconic and demanding races in the world. But for Yahni, this race is about far more than miles, pace, or a finish line. It is a powerful tribute to resilience, survival, and the life-changing […]
For many survivors, abuse does not begin with physical violence. It begins with subtle shifts – a partner who insists on knowing where they are at all times. Money that suddenly becomes inaccessible. Friendships that slowly disappear. A phone that feels less like a device and more like a surveillance tool. For years, survivors described these patterns. They […]
This post was written anonymously by a staffer at The Second Step in February 2026. 1 in 3 teens in the U.S. will experience physical, sexual, or emotional abuse from a partner before becoming an adult (Love is Respect). This staggering figure is one I didn’t realize I myself am a part of until working at The Second Step. My 16-year-old relationship […]
January is Stalking Awareness Month, a time to bring attention to a form of abuse that is widespread, deeply harmful, and often misunderstood. At The Second Step, we know that stalking is not about unwanted attention. It is about power, control, and fear. This month is an opportunity to raise awareness, support survivors, and affirm the strength and […]
Recently, I listened to Liza Lydia’s rewritten version of “Baby, It’s Cold Outside.” It’s witty, warm, and unmistakably modern without losing the playful energy of the original. What changes isn’t the flirtation, but the framework. The tension comes from mutual interest, not pressure. Both voices are clear. Both get to choose. That rewrite has stayed […]
At The Second Step, we know the holidays can stir up a complex mix of emotions for survivors of domestic violence. Joyful celebrations may sit alongside grief, loneliness, the reality of what someone is currently living through, or reminders of past trauma. Abusive partners may use the holidays to exert more control, isolating survivors from […]