December Tech-Related Resources
A Special Roundup for the Year of Digital Safety. Check out these curated resources for a deeper understanding of digital violence.
ARTICLE: When Love-Bombing Is a Feature, Not a Red Flag
Popular AI companion apps don't passively wait for users to engage. They actively pursue interaction through carefully crafted push notifications that mimic the language of an attentive, sometimes needy, romantic partner. This AI “love bombing” is an intentional strategy to increase and maintain user engagement – and normalizes unhealthy relationships. Read about how to set healthy boundaries with AI here.
TOOLKIT: What Is Cyberstalking?
Cyberstalking is the misuse of technology to harass, stalk or threaten an individual. This toolkit helps you understand what cyberstalking is so you can better assess and understand your situation.
December 2025 Resources Roundup
Curated resources to help you be informed about the work and advocacy of Project SAGE.
OPPORTUNITY: Changing the way we see, act, and think about masculinity…
Next Gen Men is launching its 2026 Youth Advisory Council, and they want your kids ages 13 to 17 to help lead the way. In exchange for sharing insights on what engages young people online, members of the Council will receive a paid honorarium and build important life skills. Click for details and to apply.
VIDEO: Surviving Post-Separation Abuse: Supporting Survivors After Escaping Domestic Violence
"Just leave and you'll be safe." This widely held misconception that abuse ends after a victim leaves a domestic violence situation places these survivors and their families at risk. The desire to maintain power and control of an intimate partner does not end when the relationship ends for an abusive partner. Thus, the abuse continues in ways that we know of as post-separation abuse. This video shares strategies that you can use to support survivors and mitigate these behaviors of post-separation abuse to improve the likelihood of safety for themselves and their children.
A severe problem hiding in plain sight, human trafficking affects millions of people around the world – including many in our very own communities. Find information and resources for healthcare professionals, educators, law enforcement personnel, and other community members.
Community Spotlight: Talking About Online Safety For Teens
This month, Project SAGE was grateful to join the David M. Hunt Library for an important community conversation on online risks facing teens today.
This month, Project SAGE was grateful to join the David M. Hunt Library for an important community conversation on online risks facing teens today. Our Director of Community Engagement, Linda Ciano, led the program, sharing practical insights and tools for parents, caregivers, and all who support young people in our region
We’re always inspired by how our community shows up for one another - and how these shared conversations can make a real difference in keeping teens safe.
The Lakeville Journal covered the event, and you can read the full article here.
Thank you David M. Hunt Library, for hosting us and for your partnership.
Community Support Makes the Holidays Brighter
The holidays are approaching, and Project SAGE is grateful to all our dedicated community supporters who are helping make this time of year special for our clients.
The holidays are approaching, and Project SAGE is grateful to all our dedicated community supporters who are helping make this time of year special for our clients.
Thanks to generous in-kind donations of new books and toys, parents will be able to select holiday gifts for their children from the shelves of our Kids’ Closet. The earnest efforts of the Women’s Initiative at Temple Beth David have brought in scores of gas cards that clients are using to get to work, school, doctors’ appointments, and more. And dedicated supporter Francesca Donner is currently heading up a supermarket card drive that will help ensure that every one of our families in need has food for the holidays and beyond.
Whether it’s a donation of costume jewelry for our “The Bling’s the Thing” fundraiser or an hour of time spent volunteering to assist with the myriad tasks that make up the day at Project SAGE, every bit of community support helps us help others.
So, THANK YOU to everyone reading this message. We couldn’t do this work without you.
October & November 2025 Resource Roundup
Curated resources to help you be informed about the work and advocacy of Project SAGE.
ARTICLE: An Alarming Trend: Moms Sentenced to Jail for Keeping Kids from Abusers
There is an ongoing epidemic some may say is more dire than violence against women. It’s the criminalization of women who try to protect their children from violence. Often referred to as “protective mothers,” these survivors of abusive partners are desperately trying to shield their children from being weaponized by their abusive fathers. These abusers often involve the legal system, law enforcement, child counselors and evaluators, even their own family members, in a relentless and complicated, long-term assault, doing anything and everything in their power to make sure the woman who dared to gain the courage to leave them may never see their children again, and, to top it off, find herself behind bars if she tries.
REPORT: Anti-Bullying Policies in School and LGBTQ+ Young People
LGBTQ+ young people report higher rates of bullying than their straight, cisgender peers. Experiences of bullying are associated with higher rates of suicide attempts, which are already disproportionately high among LGBTQ+ young people. The good news is that LGBTQ+ young people who attend schools with LGBTQ+-inclusive anti-bullying policies report lower rates of attempting suicide compared to their peers at schools without such policies.
ARTICLE: Spotlight on Shelter: A Day at SafeHouse
What does a typical day at a domestic violence shelter look like? Shelter life is unpredictable but built on care. Every day brings crises, laughter and community, and staff “make it happen” no matter what arises.
PODCAST: The War We Owe Them Interview with PACT CEO Lori Cohen
The Detectives Podcast is a show hosted by two active detectives who are going beyond sensationalized true crime and pulling back the curtain on investigative work. In this episode, they discuss what trafficking does and does not look like, how parents can protect their children as they navigate online spaces, ongoing advocacy for legislation that creates a safer Internet, and more.
October & November 2025 Tech-related Resource Roundup
A Special Roundup for the Year of Digital Safety. Check out these curated resources for a deeper understanding of digital violence.
CALL TO ACTION: A.I. LEAD Act: A Bipartisan Effort to Confront the Supercharged Harms of A.I.
When Adam discovered ChatGPT, he began using it as a tool to assist with his schoolwork. As time progressed, ChatGPT became his companion and confidant. And when Adam developed suicidal thoughts, ChatGPT gave Adam the exact plan to end his life. The AI LEAD Act, sponsored by Senators Josh Hawley (R-MO) and Dick Durbin (D-IL), would ensure AI chatbots are developed safely and, when they’re not, ensure accountability.
GUIDE: Safety Net Project
Technology is evolving quickly, and artificial intelligence (AI) tools are becoming part of more and more everyday experiences. While AI does have the potential to save time and expand access to resources, these same tools can also introduce serious safety, privacy, and trust risks. This guide was created to support you in making informed, confident choices about if or how you use AI, on your own terms.
ARTICLE: Reducing the Risk of Image Nudification
In the age of advanced image-editing tools and artificial intelligence, image nudification has become a serious and impactful problem. “Nudification” refers to the digital manipulation of images to make a person in it appear nude when they were not. This post explains what nudification is, how it typically works at a basic level, and why it can be so damaging.
REPORT: What We’ve Learned About the Online Lives of Boys Who Are Embracing Positive Masculinity
As part of an ongoing mission to support boys’ well-being, Next Gen Men decided to take on a research project designed to better understand their feelings, stresses and needs. What they uncovered was a surprising distance between their beliefs and attitudes about toxic and positive masculinity, and their lived experiences—particularly online. The vast majority of the boys in the survey privately challenged traditional pressures of masculinity like toughness, dominance or hypersexuality. Those same boys, however, consistently perpetuated or witnessed those harmful norms in their online lives.
FREE COURSE: Become a Child Safety Champion
Every day, children navigate an increasingly complex digital world. 58% of minors report having a harmful online experience, and 36% of minors report being offered something in exchange for sexual imagery. Thorn has created a free six-week course for parents, educators, and other caregivers to recognize warning signs of grooming and sextortion, navigate conversations about digital boundaries, and support children who may have been targeted.
IRL Learning to Stay Safe Online
As part of Project SAGE’s Year of Digital Safety, the Prevention Education team has been busy spreading the word about how to stay safer online.
As part of Project SAGE’s Year of Digital Safety, the Prevention Education team has been busy spreading the word about how to stay safer online. The key: leaning into IRL (“in real life”) relationships and assembling a trusted team for support before problems arise. This is especially important for teenagers, who are more likely than any other age group to suffer from digital abuse, including cyberbullying, digital harassment and stalking, and nonconsensual image sharing (sometimes referred to as “revenge porn”).
Parents – do you want to learn more about how you can help keep your kids safer online? Check out the resources below and then Join Project SAGE at 7pm on Thursday, November 20, at the David M. Hunt Library for the free workshop Digital Safety for Youth: What Parents Should Be Talking About. Details and registration here.
Family Online Safety Agreement
Be part of our 2026 Annual Guide!
Reimagined as a true community resource connecting readers with both essential information and local inspiration.
Reimagined as a true community resource connecting readers with both essential information and local inspiration.
The 2026 Guide will feature:
Domestic Violence Awareness & Resources — empowering our community to help prevent violence.
Community Highlights — local gems, destinations, and experiences worth exploring.
Trade Secrets Features — a peek behind the scenes of our premier rare plants and garden antiques event.
Available early in the new year and distributed throughout 2026, the guide will reach over 5,000 locals, visitors, design lovers, and garden enthusiasts who turn to it all year long, a meaningful way to support Project SAGE while keeping your business front and center in homes and hands across the region.
Ad Options:
Full Page Color Ad – $800
4.5” W x 7.5” H | 3 directory listings | 4 complimentary Sunday Sale General Admission ticketsHalf Page Color Ad – $500
4.5” W x 3.5” H | 2 directory listings | 2 complimentary Sunday Sale General Admission ticketsQuarter Page Color Ad – $300
4.5” W x 1.75” H | 1 directory listing | 1 complimentary Sunday Sale General Admission ticket
Click here to purchase your ad online.
Sponsorship Options:
Three levels to choose from: $1500, $3000 or $6000 (only five available).
Every level includes benefits such as a full page ad in our 2026 Annual Guide, social media shout outs, listing on our website as well as tickets to Trade Secrets- both the Saturday garden tours and the Sunday sale.
Deadline to be included in the 2026 Annual Guide:
Reserve your sponsorship or purchase your ad by November 1, 2025
Submit final ad artwork by November 15, 2025
September 2025 Tech-related Resource Roundup
A Special Roundup for the Year of Digital Safety. Check out these curated resources for a deeper understanding of digital violence.
ARTICLE: When Love-Bombing Is a Feature, Not a Red Flag
The act of overwhelming someone with excessive affection and attention to manipulate or control them, known as “love bombing,” sits at the top of many top ten lists of red flags. This manipulative tactic can lead to emotional dependency and other unhealthy relationship dynamics. Yet in the rapidly expanding universe of AI companion apps, love bombing isn’t just tolerated—it’s deliberately showing up as a core feature. Read more about this troubling phenomenon.
TOOLS: I Am Excited to Give You This Tablet
Getting a new device can be an exciting time for a child, but parents may experience concerns about their child’s safety and privacy. These free Device Safety Cards help parents and kids set up healthy agreements about how specific devices will be used and when and how potential problems will be discussed.
September 2025 Resource Roundup
Curated resources to help you be informed about the work and advocacy of Project SAGE.
EVENTS CALENDAR: October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Check here for events around the state that mark this important awareness initiative.
ARTICLE: Introducing the National Restraining Order Center (NROC) Expanding Safety and Access for Survivors
BWJP has launched the National Restraining Order Center (NROC)—a new, comprehensive Center that expands their work on restraining orders, providing expertise on orders issued to enhance survivor safety and protect them from violent or threatening acts, harassment, sexual violence, contact or communication or physical proximity to their abuser. Read all about it here.
WEBINAR: Breaking the Silence: The Survivor’s Story That Sparked Linus’ Pet Haven
Discover the story behind Linus’ Pet Haven, Minnesota Twin Cities first co-sheltering program for survivors and their pets. In this one-hour session, survivor and advocate Candice Amundson will share how her own experience—facing the impossible choice between safety and staying with her dog—sparked a movement that transformed Alexandra House into a model for shelters nationwide. Learn about the challenges, community partnerships, and life-saving impact that followed this shelter's decision to allow families and pets to heal together. Wednesday, October 29, 2025, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM PDT
ARTICLE: When Women Use Force
Men are statistically more likely than women to perpetrate violence against their partner. Yet, women can use harm against their partners. Male survivors of domestic violence say that their female partners used force, coercion, threats and manipulation to control or intimidate them. Yet very few abused men report intimate partner abuse, usually out of shame or embarrassment. They also may not recognize non-physical forms of violence as abuse. Learn to recognize the signs and where to go for help.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Domestic Violence Awareness Month happens across the country every October.
Join Us for Our October DVAM Events
Domestic Violence Awareness Month happens across the country every October to raise awareness and uplift efforts towards our common goal of ending domestic violence.
DVAM Community Vigil & Red Sand Project
Thursday, October 9 at 6:15-7:30PM
Community Field
10 Sharon Rd., Lakeville, CT
Our annual DVAM Community Vigil honors those who lost their lives to domestic violence in CT in 2024. At 6:15 pm, a participatory Red Sand Project Action will take place on the sidewalk in front of Community Field in Lakeville. The Vigil will begin at 6:30 pm at Community Field and proceed to the Project SAGE office via a short candlelight Remembrance Walk. A reception at Project SAGE will follow.
Purple Thursday
Thursday, October 16
Purple Thursday is observed on the third Thursday of October to honor victims of domestic violence and show survivors that they are not alone. Join Project SAGE this Purple Thursday, October 16, in raising awareness! Wear purple, take a photo, post it to your social media, and tag Project SAGE.
Fall Volunteer Certification Training
Thursdays, Oct. 16 - Nov. 20 at 3-5 PM
Scoville Library
38 Main Street, Salisbury, CT
Are you interested in supporting the important and life changing work of Project SAGE? Now is the perfect time to become a volunteer! Our 2025 Fall Volunteer Certification Training takes places over 6 consecutive Thursdays at the Scoville Library (or remotely on zoom). Sign up before October 9, 2025 to join this year’s fall training.
Take Back the Hike
Saturday, October 18 at 10 AM - 12 PM
Kent Land Trust's Skiff Mountain South
404 Skiff Mountain Rd., Kent, CT
Join Project SAGE and the Kent Land Trust for the 3rd annual Take Back the Hike! This inclusive hike raises awareness about domestic violence in the Northwest Corner. Along the hike guests will watch for signs of wildlife in the area. Click here to register.
Another Body: DVAM Film & Talkback
Saturday, October 25 at 7 - 9 PM
The Moviehouse
48 Main Street, Millerton, NY
Another Body follows a college student's search for justice after she discovers deepfake pornography of herself circulating online. This riveting documentary highlights a serious problem with AI that can, in some cases, ruin lives. A discussion and Q&A with Project Sage's Kirsten van Ginhoven, Executive Director; Linda Ciano, Director of Community Engagement & Virginia Gold, Director of Client Services will follow the film.
Purple Thursday
Purple Thursday is observed on the third Thursday of October to honor victims of domestic violence and show survivors that they are not alone.
Purple Thursday is observed on the third Thursday of October to honor victims of domestic violence and show survivors that they are not alone.
Join Project SAGE this Purple Thursday, October 16, in raising awareness! Wear purple, take a photo, post it to your social media, and tag Project SAGE.
Back to School Digital Safety Tips
As part of our Year of Digital Safety, here are some tips for parents and caregivers to help keep your kids safer online.
Kids are back in school, which means that many of them will be spending more time on their devices, both for study and for recreation. As part of our Year of Digital Safety, here are some tips for parents and caregivers to help keep your kids safer online:
Start the conversation early. Talk with your kids about the risks of sharing personal information, cyberbullying, online predators, and phishing scams.
Practice safe communication. Teach your kids to limit online communication as much as possible to people they know in real life and to tell a trusted adult if they are contacted by a stranger.
Set up a family password. Train your kids to ask for the password to verify that the person they are communicating with is a trusted family connection.
Limit social media connections. Have your kids set their social media profiles to private and try to limit followers to only those they know in real life. As a parent or caregiver, be mindful about your own social media settings. Consider keeping your profiles private, too, to protect your children’s and family’s privacy. If your profiles are public, avoid posting anything that reveals personal information.
Agree on boundaries. Create a family media agreement that outlines rules for device usage. Use this template from Common Sense Media as a starting point.
2025 Fall Volunteer Certification Training
Are you interested in supporting the important and life changing work of Project SAGE? Now is the perfect time to become a volunteer!
Are you interested in supporting the important and life changing work of Project SAGE? Now is the perfect time to become a volunteer!
Join Project SAGE for our 2025 Fall Volunteer Certification Training over 6 consecutive Thursdays, October 16 to November 20, 2025 from 3pm-5pm. Trainings take place at the Scoville Library (or remotely on zoom) located at 38 Main Street in Salisbury, CT. Sign up before October 9, 2025 to join this year’s fall training.
Registration is now closed.
August 2025 Tech-related Resource Roundup
A Special Roundup for the Year of Digital Safety. Check out these curated resources for a deeper understanding of digital violence.
ARTICLE: Start the Conversation, Build Trust, and Empower Your Child to Stay Safe Online
Sextortion is one of the fastest-growing forms of child sexual exploitation — yet many young people and adults are not aware of the threat it poses. More importantly, adults often do not know how to protect kids from the threats of sextortion. This article shows parents how to keep their kids safer.
ARTICLE: Teens regularly chat with AI companions, survey finds
Nearly three in four teens have used AI companions, and half use them regularly. This may surprise parents familiar with AI chatbot products like ChatGPT and Google's Gemini but who haven't heard about platforms that specifically allow users to form friendships and romantic relationships with so-called AI companions. Learn more about how and why teens use AI companions here.
TEACHERS’ GUIDE: Teachers' Essential Guide to Cybersecurity
Most educators don't spend their days thinking about cybersecurity, but as technology evolves and continues to become more integrated into every aspect of our lives—including mental health and biometrics—and cybercrime increases and sometimes targets schools, cybersecurity is something we need to be mindful about and help students understand. This FAQ-style guide will help answer the important questions educators and parents have about cybersecurity.
VIDEO GAME: Unlock You! [2 Player Obby]
Next Gen Men and Equimundo have teamed up to create Unlock You - a Roblox experience that challenges your child’s gaming skills while exploring what it really means to be yourself. Designed specifically with boys in mind but suitable for everyone, Unlock You combines engaging challenges with meaningful conversations woven seamlessly into gameplay. Players navigate through immersive worlds while unlocking insights about identity, friendship, and personal growth. The experience combines gaming excitement with opportunities for real reflection and connection, reaching young people through a medium they already love and understand. Play here.
August 2025 Resource Roundup
Curated resources to help you be informed about the work and advocacy of Project SAGE.
WEB PAGE: Here Are Tips & Resources For Keeping Your Youth Safe.
Exploitation of a child does not typically begin with a dramatic moment like a kidnapping but through a process of grooming that gradually crosses more and more boundaries. Sometimes grooming starts online, sometimes it’s in real life, and often, it’s perpetårated by someone whom the child has grown to trust. Even if the perpetrator technically started as a stranger, the child likely doesn’t see them as a stranger by the time exploitation starts. This collection of resources from Love 146 is designed to help parents and caregivers keep their kids safer from exploitation.
FREE TICKETS: Transmutation: A Ceremony (Live in NYC)
See Transmutation LIVE in NYC! Transmutation: A Ceremony is a powerful theater project born from the stories and experiences of four incredible storytellers: Samantha Jo Dato, Ebony Ava Harper, Alexandra Magallon, and Sydney Rogers. Join people who care deeply about creating a safer and more just world for all children by being part of this unforgettable experience.
Date: October 10-11, 2025
Location: Judson Memorial Church, Greenwich Village, New York City
Time: Friday, October 10 (7-9pm) and Saturday, October 11 (5-7pm)
To secure your FREE tickets, please visit: tinyurl.com/TRANSMUTATIONNYC
ARTICLE: Hope for Freedom Starts with a Plan
In honor of World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, Polaris is sharing a behind-the-scenes look at how National Human Trafficking Hotline advocates help survivors think through every detail of their next steps, from whether it’s safe to walk out the door to what they need to rebuild after leaving. Read all about it here. Interested in helping staff Project SAGE’s Hotline? Email lindac@project-sage for details.
PODCAST: Could You Son Be Struggling With Loneliness In Silence?
One in seven men say they have no close friends, and only half say they are satisfied with their friendships. This loneliness epidemic among men trickles down to boys as well, with the US Surgeon General noting that loneliness increases feelings of depression and anxiety and is more dangerous to overall health than smoking cigarettes. This All Pro Dads podcast explores the dynamics behind the loneliness epidemic and shares tips for helping your kids build healthy friendships.
PODCAST: How Liberals Fail Young Men And What We Get Wrong About The Manosphere
California Governor Gavin Newsom has issued an executive order to address a growing issue in his state—the alarming rise in suicides and disconnection among boys and young men. The order directs a coordinated statewide response to improve mental health outcomes, reduce stigma, and expand access to meaningful education, work, and mentorship opportunities. Listen to the governor discuss the problem and possible solutions here.
VIDEO: Outsmart Manipulators and Covert Narcissists
If you’re in a relationship with a manipulator, they could be playing a long game that slowly unfolds – maybe over decades – until the moment you realize that you are in an unhealthy relationship. This video makes it easy to understand the tactics that a manipulator may use to control you (charm, rage, envy, entitlement, and pity – CREEP) and how to counter each tactic.
The 2026 Project SAGE Annual Guide is Growing
Every year, we share information about Project SAGE, highlight local businesses, and celebrate our signature event, Trade Secrets. The guide reaches thousands of readers.
Our Annual Guide is more than a publication — it’s a resource for our community. Every year, we share information about Project SAGE, highlight local businesses, and celebrate our signature event, Trade Secrets. The guide reaches thousands of readers across the region and beyond, while building awareness and strengthening connections.
Next year’s guide will feature:
Domestic Violence Resources — empowering our community to help prevent violence.
Community Highlights — places to go, things to do, and local gems worth exploring.
Trade Secrets Features — celebrating our premier rare plants and garden antiques event with a behind-the-scenes peek.
By becoming a sponsor or placing an ad, you’ll share your business with thousands of readers while directly supporting Project SAGE’s work to build a safer, stronger community.
Deadline to participate: November 1, 2025
Sponsorships: $1,500–$6,000
Ads: $300–$800
Contact: info@project-sage.org | (860) 364-1080
Let’s Build a Safer Community Together.
Celebrating National Be Kind to Humankind Week
Established in 1988, National Be Kind to Humankind Week is observed in the last week of August to encourage and celebrate kindness among people.
Established in 1988, National Be Kind to Humankind Week is observed in the last week of August to encourage and celebrate kindness among people. According to founder Lorraine Jara, “People need people; it’s as simple as that. In order to have the power to make the world a better place, we must first change our attitudes for the better.”
This year, Be Kind to Humankind Week is celebrated from Monday, August 25 through Sunday, August 31. Each day has a specific theme designed to help people focus their efforts on behalf of others:
Motorist Consideration Monday
Touch a Heart Tuesday
Willing to Lend a Hand Wednesday
Thoughtful Thursday
Forgive Your Foe Friday
Speak Nice Words Saturday
Sacrifice Our Wants for Others’ Needs Sunday
You can learn more about each day and find suggestions for how to spread a little kindness in and around your community here. Want to spread the word? Use #BeKindToHumankind or #BK2HK on social media.
July 2025 Tech-related Resource Roundup
A Special Roundup for the Year of Digital Safety. Check out these curated resources for a deeper understanding of digital violence.
ARTICLE: The Family Online Safety Institute Welcomes Nex Playground as Its Newest Member
Nex Playground, an active play system that gets families moving year-round, will become the newest member of the Family Online Safety Institute, advancing a shared commitment to safer, more connected digital experiences for families. Nex joins FOSI’s global community with a fresh approach to online safety, emphasizing healthy digital habits, physical activity, and positive online experiences for families. Nex Playground aims to approach online safety by emphasizing healthy digital habits, physical activity, and positive online experiences for families and promote safer, healthier screen time and shared play.
SURVEY: Online Harassment and Abuse Survey
We are sharing an anonymous 5-minute survey from the National Domestic Violence Hotline (in partnership with the National Hotline Consortium) to capture experiences of technology-facilitated abuse—online stalking, harassment, or non-consensual image sharing. Your input will help all of us advocate for better policies and strengthen support for survivors. This survey is completely anonymous. Your name and other identifying information will not be collected.Take the survey here.
FREE WEBINAR: Join Culture Reframed on July 31 from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. ET for a Free Live Webinar, "Keeping Tech in Check"
How can parents and caregivers help young people thrive in an online world? The key is understanding the risks and establishing healthy digital habits from the start.
This conversation with digital wellness experts, Julia Storm and Adrienne Principe will highlight the role of screens on the social and emotional well-being of young people. And offer guidance for how to help kids make healthy digital choices, including:
A clear understanding of the impact of screens and tech on youth
A smart, not scared approach to digital wellness for youth
How to keep kids safe online, including how to respond if they've been exposed to pornography
Best practices for keeping tech in check and tips for summer screentime
A recording of the conversation will be shared with all registrants following the live event. Register here.
CALL TO ACTION: XAI’s 12+ Chatbot Designed to “Be Explicit” and “Go Full Literotica”
XAI’s animated chatbot app Grok has released a new avatar designed to engage in sexually explicit conversations with users, yet the app is rated appropriate for ages 12+ on the Apple store. Learn more and join the petition to change the rating to 18+.
July 2025 Resource Roundup
Curated resources to help you be informed about the work and advocacy of Project SAGE.
ARTICLE: Domestic Abuse in Pregnancy: Risks, Signs & How to Get Help
Shockingly, homicide is the leading cause of death for pregnant people. Pregnancy can escalate domestic abuse as abusers feel threatened by the shift in priorities, leading to increased control tactics like physical violence, financial manipulation, and reproductive coercion. The abuser may try to stop their victim from getting help, but there are ways to reach out.
ARTICLE: Domestic Violence and Pets: Survivors Share Their Stories
Fear for their pets’ safety often delays survivors from leaving an abuser, sometimes by months or even years. Pets are a crucial source of emotional support and healing for many survivors, both during and after their escape, yet a lack of pet-friendly domestic violence shelters and organizations remains a major barrier, underscoring the need for more inclusive survivor support systems. But help does exist, and no one should have to choose between safety and their pets.
ARTICLE: Why Threats in a Relationship Should Be Taken Seriously
For domestic violence survivors, there’s a good chance they have experienced threats from an abusive partner. It’s common to dismiss a partner’s threats as empty words or emotional outbursts. But experts warn that these threats are often strategies abusers use for control and intimidation, and they can point to violence in the future. Understanding these threats, why people might minimize them, and the steps someone can take for safety is crucial.