Women SV 5/27/26 Women SV 5/27/26

How Coercive Control Works Before Anyone Sees It with Ruth Darlene of WomenSV

Ruth Darlene of WomenSV joined Dr. Sandi M.Ed., Ph.D. on the Title IX Insider Podcast for an important conversation about coercive control, covert abuse, survivor safety, prevention education, and the warning signs people often miss. Ruth explains why coercive control must be understood as a pattern, not a single incident. She also discusses how survivors may be made to doubt themselves, why subtle forms of abuse can be difficult to document, and how education can help people recognize danger before it escalates.

Women SV 4/1/26 Women SV 4/1/26

How covert abuse isolates survivors: The private island of coercive control

What is coercive control and how does covert abuse isolate survivors? Ruth Darlene, Founder and Executive Director of WomenSV, explains how coercive control traps survivors in isolation through subtle manipulation, intimidation and psychological abuse that often hides in plain sight.

Women SV 11/25/25 Women SV 11/25/25

International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women + UNiTE to End Digital Violence Against Women and Girls

November 25th is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and today marks the launch of a global movement featuring 16 days of activism: UNiTE to End Digital Violence Against Women and Girls. This year's campaign is dedicated to addressing digital abuse.

Women SV 10/10/25 Women SV 10/10/25

How to Help a Friend Experiencing Domestic Abuse: Tips from Ruth Darlene of WomenSV

Learn how to help a friend experiencing domestic abuse with expert guidance from Ruth Darlene of WomenSV, a leading advocate and educator on coercive control and domestic violence prevention. Start with these helpful tips on what to say, what not to do, and how to offer safe, effective support.

Women SV 9/5/25 Women SV 9/5/25

What do we tell the children when a covert abuser is a parent? Santa Clara County DV Conference Video Presentation

When a parent is a covert abuser, how does it affect their children? What protections exist under California law, and what can we do to help? For answers to these questions and an in-depth discussion about the impacts of coercive control and covert abuse on children, watch this video presentation from Ruth Darlene and Rachel McKenzie at the Santa Clara County Domestic Violence Conference.

Women SV 9/2/25 Women SV 9/2/25

Dangerous warning signs of an abusive relationship: The Pathway to Violence & domestic abuse

Knowing these warning signs can save your life! 🚩 Ruth Darlene, Founder and Executive Director of WomenSV, explains the escalation process of domestic abuse using the Pathway to Violence, a framework describing the warning signs that lead up to targeted attacks. Recognizing these red flags and detecting danger early on can help keep you safe and empowered with knowledge to protect yourself.

Women SV 8/20/25 Women SV 8/20/25

How to survive coercive control and escape domestic abuse: The Pathway to Freedom

Figuring out how to survive coercive control and escape an abusive relationship can feel overwhelming, but it's important to remember that finding freedom is possible. Ruth Darlene, Founder and Executive Director of WomenSV describes the process of escaping domestic abuse as steps on the pathway to freedom. Finding the pathway to freedom involves learning to recognize the cycle of violence, also known as the cycle of abuse, and carefully planning a safe escape. In this video, Ruth Darlene explains each step along the pathway to freedom along with success strategies that have helped survivors break free and move forward with their lives.

Women SV 7/30/25 Women SV 7/30/25

Boundary setting for coercive control survivors: Reclaim boundaries after a controlling relationship

If you've experienced coercive control, your personal boundaries have most likely been disrespected, disregarded and violated. After escaping a controlling relationship, reclaiming your personal boundaries is an important part of taking your power back. In this video, WomenSV Executive Director Ruth Darlene shares boundary setting tips to empower coercive control survivors.

Women SV 7/22/25 Women SV 7/22/25

8 Coercive Control and Domestic Violence Myths DEBUNKED by Ruth Darlene of WomenSV

In this video Ruth Darlene, WomenSV Founder and Executive Director, debunks 8 common misconceptions about coercive control and domestic violence.

Women SV 5/29/25 Women SV 5/29/25

How Covert Abusers Weaponize Mental Health: Explained by WomenSV Founder Ruth Darlene

I’m Ruth Darlene, Founder and Executive Director of WomenSV, a nonprofit organization dedicated to education and awareness around covert abuse and coercive control. Let’s talk about how covert abusers weaponize mental health.

Women SV 5/12/25 Women SV 5/12/25

Covert Abuse and Coercive Control Lethality Risks: PSA from Ruth Darlene Patrick at WomenSV

Covert abuse and coercive control are more than just emotionally harmful forms of domestic abuse - they are lethality risks. Ruth Darlene Patrick, Founder and Executive Director of WomenSV, is working to strengthen domestic violence prevention through education and awareness.

Women SV 5/1/25 Women SV 5/1/25

Covert Abuse and Coercive Control Training Online for Advocates, Survivors and Service Providers

Learn to identify, document, and respond to covert abuse and coercive control: Get covert abuse and coercive control training online. Join the online workshop for survivors, advocates, and service providers.

Women SV 11/12/24 Women SV 11/12/24

Impact of coercive control and domestic abuse on mothers and children

Mothers and their children are disproportionately impacted by domestic violence, including more subtle forms of abuse such as coercive control. In this video Ruth Darlene, Founder and Executive Director of WomenSV, discusses the dangers and early warning signs of controlling relationships.

Women SV 10/29/24 Women SV 10/29/24

WomenSV Founder Ruth Patrick Darlene's Technology Abuse Resource Guide

WomenSV founder Ruth Patrick Darlene shares resources to help survivors of technology abuse, a tactic used by tech-savvy abusers to monitor, stalk, control, and harass their partners.

Women SV 9/6/24 Women SV 9/6/24

Ruth Patrick Darlene of WomenSV Explains Covert Abuse Dangers and Warning Signs

Ruth Patrick Darlene, Founder and Executive Director of WomenSV, explains the dangers and warning signs of covert abuse, an insidious form of coercive control.

Women SV 9/6/24 Women SV 9/6/24

Ruth Patrick Darlene of WomenSV Exposes Overt and Covert Coercive Control Tactics

Learn how Ruth Patrick Darlene, Founder of WomenSV, exposes common overt and covert coercive control tactics, empowering survivors with tools to recognize and escape abusive relationships.

Women SV 10/19/23 Women SV 10/19/23

From Trauma to Triumph: Executive Summary Workshop Presentation at the Domestic Violence Conference

Watch as Rachel McKenzie presents "From Trauma to Triumph: Executive Summary Workshop" at the County of Santa Clara's 30th Annual Domestic Violence Conference, on behalf of WomenSV.

Women SV 9/29/23 Women SV 9/29/23

Domestic Violence Awareness Month Proclamation: WomenSV and Sunnyvale City Council

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and we're proud to share that Ruth Darlene, the founder and Executive Director of WomenSV, joined the City of Sunnyvale's Council meeting to raise awareness about this important month.

Women SV 9/26/23 Women SV 9/26/23

WomenSV Empowers Survivors and Transforms Communities with Support from the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors

At WomenSV we are committed to constantly evolving in order to maximize the positive impact of our programs and services. It is with deep gratitude that we share the results of our efforts over the past year that have been made possible thanks to the support of the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors.

Women SV 9/25/23 Women SV 9/25/23

WomenSV at the 30th Annual Domestic Violence Conference

WomenSV is honored to announce that our Executive Director Ruth Darlene's proposal was accepted for presentation this year at the 30th Annual Domestic Violence Conference, "Thirty Years of Growth: Lessons Learned and Addressing Root Causes of Domestic Violence".