Table of Contents

• Upcoming Events
• 2 new staff attorneys
• Attorney Jordan Walker joins Public Interest Law Program
• Collaboration in Action: Our Survivor-Centered Model for Legal Services
• "Signal for Help"
• Become a Safe Community Ambassador

October Events for Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM)

The Second Step Installation at Newton Free Library

Check out our display created with the help from Newton North High School Friends of TSS from October 1st - 30th.

3-Part Domestic Violence Awareness Series with Lexington Human Services

Join The Second Step and Lexington Human Services for a 3-part hybrid DV Awareness series

Learn more and register for a session!

Stop by and visit our table at these events!

J. McLaughlin in Chestnut Hill

October 4th - 12pm-4pm

Boylston Street, Chestnut Hill

Refreshments will be served and 10% of purchases will be given back to The Second Step by J. McLaughlin!

Newton Harvest Fair

October 19th - 11am-5pm

Newton Centre Green

Boston Book Festival

October 25th - 10am-6pm

Copley Square

Welcome our new Staff Attorneys Abigail Bird and Samantha McIsaac

"Hi, I’m Sam! I grew up in Massachusetts and earned my B.A. in Psychology and Sociology from UMass Dartmouth before attending New England Law | Boston. During school, I worked in marketing and legal research at an LGBT+ family building agency and completed internships with the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Department of State. After law school, I practiced litigation in New York City, then returned home to Massachusetts, where I gained experience in district, superior, and federal civil courts, advocating for clients in personal injury cases.

Now, I’m proud to join The Second Step as part of the legal services team. I look forward to helping survivors feel empowered, supported, and heard, while also contributing to the agency’s prevention and education work. Outside of law, I enjoy running, reading, baking, and spending time with my family."

"Hi, I’m Abby, and I’m so excited to join the legal team at The Second Step! I earned my undergraduate degree in English and History from UMass Amherst and my J.D. from Suffolk University Law School. Most of my career has been as an Assistant District Attorney, where I prosecuted domestic violence and sexual assault cases. I’ve also worked as an Assisted Reproductive Technology Attorney, representing Intended Parents through surrogacy and related legal processes.

In my new role as a Staff Attorney, I look forward to bringing my experience as a prosecutor while also learning from the incredible team here. I feel lucky to be able to use my skills to help survivors and work toward a stronger legal system. Outside of work, I love teaching yoga, baking anything sourdough, and spending time with my dog, Levi."

The hiring of two new staff attorneys was made possible thanks to the support and funding from Massachusetts Bar Foundation and Boston Bar Foundation.

Public Interest Leadership Program

We are proud to announce that Staff Attorney Jordan Walker has been selected to join the Boston Bar Association’s 2025–2026 Public Interest Leadership Program (PILP).

Each year, the BBA welcomes a small group of highly accomplished lawyers into this prestigious year-long program, which provides intensive leadership and professional development training. Jordan was chosen from an impressive pool of applicants to join a dynamic cohort of emerging leaders from private practice, in-house counsel, government, and nonprofit organizations.

Through PILP, participants learn directly from leaders across Boston’s public and private sectors, building the skills, connections, and tools needed to serve as effective advocates and community leaders. Alumni of the program have gone on to serve as elected officials, nonprofit board members, managing partners, and key voices shaping Boston’s legal and civic landscape.

Jordan’s leadership, expertise, and deep commitment to survivors of domestic violence make her an outstanding addition to the BBA’s Public Interest Leadership Program. We are thrilled to see her receive this recognition.

Collaboration in Action: Our Survivor-Centered Model for Legal Services

When someone experiences domestic violence, the legal system can be both a powerful tool for protection and a source of additional trauma. Survivors often face a confusing and intimidating process at a time when they are already navigating fear, grief, and instability. 

At The Second Step, we believe survivors deserve legal representation along with holistic, trauma-informed, human support. Attorneys and Domestic Violence Advocates play different but equally essential roles in the journey toward safety and healing. Their efforts are not duplicative or hierarchical; they are complementary, and both are needed to truly meet the complexity of survivors’ experiences.

Read the full blog post here

Signal for Help

A recent USA Today story highlights how a simple hand gesture—the “Signal for Help”—is saving lives. In California, a woman discreetly used the signal inside a 7-Eleven to let a store employee know she was in danger. Because the employee recognized it and acted, her abuser was arrested, and she was able to get help.

The Signal for Help was created by the Canadian Women’s Foundation for situations where speaking out isn’t safe. It’s made by tucking your thumb into your palm and folding your fingers over it.

Why it matters:

• Abuse often happens in silence—this signal gives survivors a nonverbal way to reach out.
• Anyone can make a difference by recognizing it and taking safe, appropriate action.
• Awareness builds a stronger safety net for survivors everywhere.

What you can do:

1. Learn the signal.
2. Share it with your community.
3. If you see it, check in safely and/or call authorities.
4. Support organizations like The Second Step—together, we create more pathways to safety.

Attend a Safe Community Ambassador Info Session

Safe Community Ambassador Info Session

October 14th

10:00am

Zoom

Join us for our first Safe Community Ambassador Info Session! The Safe Community Ambassadors Program is a unique way to get more involved with your community while supporting safety, healing, and access to resources. Whether you love connecting with people, know all the best local spots, or want to use your voice to support survivors, there's a role for you! Join us on Zoom to learn more about the program, or reach out to Stacy for any and all questions!

Helping survivors of domestic violence heal and thrive

in safe and supportive communities.

Thank you to our foundation and corporate partners for supporting

The Second Step and our work with survivors of domestic violence!