Reckoning Garbo

Laura Bloomer is the founder of Redaim which provides technical tools and case management software for investigative agencies remediating online image-based abuse on the internet. She is also a start-up mentor & advisor, and a previous Trustee to UK domestic abuse charity S.T.O.R.M Empowerment.

In this episode, Laura discusses:


What image-based abuse is and why convictions regarding this type of abuse are so low
Accountability measures coming into place to eliminate image-based abuse
The barriers that victims of online image-based abuse face when reporting and how reporting can re-traumatize victims
How technology can reduce barriers to make it easier for people to report online harassment
User safety as a business risk and the trade offs start ups face between growth vs. user safety
The potential for bystander reporting opportunities when it comes to image-based abuse
Positive trends around ethical investing and business practices, and how younger generations are challenging the status quo

Tracy DeTomasi is the CEO of Callisto. Callisto is a non-profit that creates technology to detect repeat sexual assailants. Tracy DeTomasi has held leadership positions across the nonprofit sector over the past 20 years, where she developed and implemented trauma-informed programming and curricula. She was instrumental in changing domestic violence laws in the US and has worked on projects globally with The Commonwealth of Nations, Ecuador, Australia, The United Kingdom, South Africa, and Ghana. Previously, Tracy was the Co-Founder of Good People Collective, the Interim Executive Director at NO MORE, and the VP of Domestic Violence Services at the YWCA. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Tracy has extensive experience working in the field of gender-based violence, giving her a deep understanding of the ecosystem of survivors, offenders, and allies. She has consulted with organizations to develop tech-based tools, such as an app that educates users about violence against women, a smartphone device for sexual violence prevention safety, and virtual reality trainings to address Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and Anti-Sexual Harassment.

In this episode, Tracy discusses:


The history of Callisto and how Callisto has evolved over the years
The prevalence of sexual assault on college campuses
Relations between Callisto, students, and Title IX coordinators
Scaling Callisto to all schools in the United States
What makes the Callisto platform safe for survivors
The options survivors have post-assault
Rehabilitation of gender-based violence offenders
How some offenders justify committing gender-based crimes
Survivor needs vs. privacy standards

Jennifer Long is the CEO of AEquitas. AEquitas’ mission is to improve the quality of justice in sexual violence, intimate partner violence, stalking, and human trafficking cases by developing, evaluating, and refining prosecution practices that increase victim safety and offender accountability. AEquitas provides prosecutors with the support, training, mentorship, and resources necessary to objectively evaluate and constantly reexamine and refine their approach to justice in these cases. Jennifer (MGA, JD) also serves as an expert on issues related to the prosecution of sexual violence, gender-based violence, and human trafficking.

In this episode Jennifer discusses:


How AEquitas has evolved since its founding in 2009
How AEquitas helps ensure effective prosecution of crimes against some of the most vulnerable members of society
How media verbiage can influence perception of sex crimes
The challenges and victories of prosecuting sexual violence cases
Misassessment of victim culpability
The public desire to understand offenders
Her mixed emotions around whisper networks
The role of the community in sexual violence cases

Ariella Steinhorn is the CEO and Founder at Lioness. Lioness is a storytelling platform and new media company that brings forward stories about encounters with power. Ariella has guided hundreds of whistleblowers, former employees, and others through the process of bringing their story forward in the press and to the public, and has broken non-disclosure agreements herself to change culture through stories.



In this episode Ariella discusses:


How Lioness started as a place where potential whistleblowers can go before talking with a journalist to get advice
The evolution and public acceptance of whistleblowing
Implications of revealing or concealing identity when whistleblowing
The risks of whistleblowing and how it can be masochistic for those who whistleblow
Economic, psychological, legal, and physical consequences of being a whistleblower including loss of health insurance and professional credibility
How defamation laws in different countries can affect a whistleblowing case
Best practices for not going public, but telling others about harm they’ve experienced

In this episode of Reckoning, Kathryn Kosmides speaks with Ashley Rumschlag. Ashley Rumschlag is the CEO of DomesticShelters.org, the first and largest free online directory of domestic violence programs and shelters in the U.S. and Canada. DomesticShelters.org, which is a service of Theresa’s fund, makes it faster and easier for victims of domestic violence, as well as program and shelter providers, to quickly find services and information best suited to their location, language, and needs.

Since joining DomesticShelters.org in 2017, Ashley has introduced numerous significant website enhancements, created the DomesticShelters.org Facebook group, and helped launch the Purple Ribbons Awards, which is a webinar series for domestic violence professionals.

In this episode Ashley discusses:


How DomesticShelters.org was created and how it became a part of Theresa’s fund
The ways in which domestic violence victims can use DomesticShelters.org to connect with an advocate who can point them to the right resources
How the media sensationalizes and glamorizes domestic violence
The subtleties of abuse and how victims often minimize their own experiences
DARVO and the abuser playbook of common tactics used to maintain power and control
The Amber Heard vs. Johnny Depp case and what is reflects about society’s views on domestic violence and why survivors are hesitant to report abuse
How to best support DV victims with appropriate language and actions
Some early warning signs of abuse including isolation from support systems and how offenders speak to victims in a disrespectful manner

Katie Ray-Jones is the CEO of the National Domestic Violence Hotline where she provides leadership for the only hotline in the nation for survivors or victims of abuse, connecting them to shelters, domestic violence programs across U.S, Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S Virgin Islands. Currently Katie is a member of the national task force to end domestic and sexual violence. In this episode, discuss what it is like for someone to call the hotline, the impact the pandemic had on survivors, and how online/in person abuse are connected.

In this episode Katie discusses:


The complexities that exist with gender based violence and domestic violence
How the term domestic violence has changed throughout the years especially with the emergence of new technology
How the National Domestic Violence Hotline has evolved throughout its 25 years of existence
What happens when someone calls the National Domestic Violence Hotline
The effect of the pandemic on domestic violence
How abusers use tech to maintain power and control
How tech advancements and virtual realities, like the Metaverse, are being used to cause harm