As the host of The Legal Lens radio show and podcast on KBLA Talk 1580, I moderate dialogues on trending legal issues to educate, engage, and empower listeners. The core mission of the show is to “Bring Light to Law” by unpacking the complex policies that shape our society and daily lives.
This October, we are celebrating the official fifth anniversary of The Legal Lens joining the KBLA Talk 1580 family. To mark this milestone, I was honored to welcome back Attorney Alyson Messenger, the first guest on our inaugural show.
Alyson is the Managing Staff Attorney of the Jenesse Center, a nationally recognized domestic violence intervention program based in South Los Angeles. In this powerful episode, we explored the sobering realities of domestic violence, how California law has evolved to recognize coercive control, and the critical services the Jenesse Center provides to help survivors rebuild their lives.
Listen to the full conversation with Alyson Messenger below:
Navigating the Episode: Time Stamps
- 04:30: Alyson’s “Why”: The Importance of Peace and Safety in the Home
- 08:30: 45 Years of the Jenesse Center: From a Hotline to a National Model
- 11:25: The Sobering Data: How Domestic Violence Disproportionately Impacts Black Women
- 14:15: Expanding the Legal Definition of Domestic Violence: Coercive Control
- 17:25: Legal Evolutions: Family Code 3044 and Domestic Violence Restraining Orders (DVROs)
- 21:30: Bridging the Justice Gap: The Jenesse Legal Services and Inglewood DV Clinic
- 31:45: Community Policing: The Domestic Abuse Response Team (DART)
- 33:20: A Vision for the Future: The Upcoming Jenesse Justice Center
Watch this episode of The Legal Lens here:
The Power of a Safe Home
When asked about her core motivation for doing this challenging work for over a decade, Alyson pointed to the blessing of growing up in a safe, nurturing environment.
“When I think about the importance of having peace in your home, having safety in your home, having stability, and how domestic violence destroys all of that… that is what inspires me to continue doing the hard work. What happens in the home eventually leaves the home and enters the world.”
– Alyson Messenger
Alyson emphasized that domestic violence is not just “personal family business.” It deeply impacts the foundational environment for children, which in turn ripples out into society.
Domestic Violence Awareness & Prevention Month: The Sobering Realities
October marks Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month—a time signified by wearing purple to honor survivors and raise community awareness. As Alyson shared, it is vital to confront the data during this month.
Nationwide, one in four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime. For Black and African American women, that number is one in three.
Alyson highlighted the devastating reality that while overall homicides may be trending down nationally, domestic violence-related homicides are up. It remains a leading cause of death for Black women between the ages of 15 and 49. According to Alyson, these systemic disparities underscore the urgent need for both crisis intervention and long-term legal support.
The Evolving Legal Definition: Coercive Control
Many people assume “domestic violence” only refers to physical abuse. However, Alyson explained how the legal definition has expanded significantly.
Alyson explained that domestic violence refers to a pattern of behaviors within an intimate partner or familial relationship where the ultimate goal is power and control. Today, California law recognizes that this abuse can be emotional, psychological, financial, or spiritual.
Notably, the Family Code now explicitly defines coercive control as a set of behaviors designed to prevent someone from doing things they have a right to do, or to force them to do things they don’t want to. Alyson noted that while a physical incident is often the catalyst that causes a survivor to seek help, it is usually part of a much broader continuum of control and abuse.
Key California Statutes: Protecting Children and Survivors
In discussing how the statutory framework has evolved to better protect families, Alyson highlighted two critical pieces of California legislation:
- California Family Code Section 3044: This statute establishes a legal presumption that granting sole or joint physical or legal custody of a child to a perpetrator of domestic violence is detrimental to the best interest of the child. Alyson pointed out that when a survivor leaves an abusive relationship, safety risks for children increase significantly, making Section 3044 a crucial tool for securing safe custody orders.
- The Domestic Violence Prevention Act (DVPA): Governed under California law, the DVPA covers Domestic Violence Restraining Orders (DVROs)—the primary civil legal mechanism survivors use to achieve safety. Alyson noted that the DVPA has evolved to include vital protections, such as ordering kick-outs (forcing the abuser to move out so survivors do not become unhoused) and including household pets as protected parties on restraining orders.
Bridging the Justice Gap: Legal Services and DART
Alyson pointed out that leaving an abusive relationship is often the most dangerous time for a survivor. Securing a Domestic Violence Restraining Order (DVRO) is a critical step, but the legal system is notoriously difficult to navigate. Alyson noted that in Los Angeles County, roughly 15,000 DVRO applications are filed annually, and 90% of those applicants are self-represented.
To bridge this significant justice gap, she shared that the Jenesse Center operates a boutique in-house law firm that provides family law and immigration services to shelter residents. They also spearhead the Domestic Violence Clinic at the Inglewood Courthouse, which is open to the public and staffed by certified domestic violence counselors who assist with forms, safety planning, and lethality assessments.
Furthermore, Jenesse partners with the LAPD through the Domestic Abuse Response Team (DART) program, pairing specially trained advocates with police officers to respond directly to 911 calls—providing crucial boots-on-the-ground crisis intervention.
Investing in Youth: The Future of the Movement
While crisis intervention remains vital, Alyson emphasized that true progress requires shifting toward prevention—with youth at the center of that strategy. The Jenesse Center’s youth programs currently reach approximately 3,000 young people annually, focusing on healthy relationship dynamics, consent, and emotional regulation.
“We would love to work ourselves out of business, and we know that change begins with our youth so that the next generation doesn’t have to grapple with the issue of domestic violence.”
– Alyson Messenger
By equipping young people early with the tools to choose healthy partner dynamics, the Jenesse Center is actively building a future where intergenerational violence is dismantled.
A Vision for the Future: The Jenesse Justice Center
Despite the heavy nature of this work, Alyson shared an inspiring vision of hope. The Jenesse Center recently purchased a building in the City of Inglewood, scheduled to open in the first half of 2027.
Tentatively named the Jenesse Justice Center, this facility will move beyond a traditional legal office to become a holistic wellness hub. It will offer comprehensive support—including breathing classes for court anxiety, a food pantry, and a clothing closet—partnering with the “whole person” as they navigate the stressful legal process and reclaim their lives.
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I have dedicated my career to helping litigants resolve their legal disputes through mediation and other dispute resolution processes, and to dissecting the legal issues that shape our public discourse and workplace dynamics, whether as a radio and podcast show host or as a legal analyst in the news.
My mission as the host of the Legal Lens radio show and podcast is to empower you with objective, expert-driven insights born from years of practice at the intersection of law and society. We are here to “Bring Light to Law” and break down complex concepts into clear, everyday language.
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If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, there is help and there is hope. Follow the Jenesse Center at jenesse.org or call their 24/7 hotline at 1-800-479-7328.
Angela’s Other Work
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This communication is not legal advice. It is educational only. For legal advice, consult with an experienced employment or civil rights law attorney in your state or city.