Filene Fill-In Ep. 43: Domestic Violence Recovery Loan Program—Research vs. In-Practice

Filene Research Institute

Credit unions have a unique vantage point to see the way financial barriers hold people back day-in and day-out. And they’re also in a unique position to do something to support those most vulnerable. In today’s podcast we take a look at the very real and complicated way that economic abuse can keep survivors of domestic violence in their abusive relationships. Thanks to the work being done through the Domestic Violence Recovery Loan program, we’re not only gaining a better understanding of the complexity of this issue -- but also seeing the determination from organizations like Michigan State University Federal Credit Union -- to find a solution that supports survivors of domestic violence in obtaining a healthier and more stable economic future. Full report available at: filene.org/465 This episode features Adrienne Adams, Ph.D, Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology and member of the Research Consortium on Gender-based Violence at Michigan State University. Adrienne is also the author of Filene’s “Domestic Violence Recovery Loan Program” report. In the first part of today’s episode, we unpack the research that built the Domestic Violence Recovery loan program. In the second half, when we talk to Alyssa Baumann, Volunteer & Advocacy Coordinator at MSU Safe Place -- and Jeff Jackson, Chief Lending Officer at Michigan State University Federal Credit Union -- about how the DVR Loan Program works in practice, from the perspective of the support groups that work with domestic violence survivors and from the credit unions that offer the loan program as a way to live their mission and truly serve the needs of everyone in their community.