Becky's Fund

What we see in pop culture and the media can determine how we define healthy versus unhealthy relationships.

With many toxic portrayals in entertainment, it is necessary to uplift character dynamics on the other side of the spectrum that prioritize respect, trust, and equality.

Recognizing the warning signs can help us all form more honest and gratifying relationships.

“The intimate partner is not simply seeking compensation for the physical and psychological bruises that are recognized by existing torts; in effect, they are alleging ‘I am not just a bruised spouse, I am an unfree spouse’”.
Justice Nicholas Kasirer, Majority opinion in Ahluwalia v. Ahluwalia

In the groundbreaking case, Ahluwalia v. Ahluwalia, Canada’s Supreme Court has established a new tort for intimate partner violence (IPV) that acknowledges the harmful effects of coercive control.

The court has asserted that patterns of controlling behaviors can be just as damaging as physical violence, expanding the definition of IPV to include coercive control.

As a result, this decision expands legal protections for survivors by allowing survivors to sue coercive abusers and secure the right to “dignity, autonomy, and equality” in their relationships.

✨Please welcome Anna as she joins our efforts in prevention and advocacy this Summer✨

👋Hello, I’m Anna Franzino, and I am a rising junior at Colgate University, where I am majoring in Peace & Conflict Studies and minoring in Anthropology and Global Public & Environmental Health. On campus, I work as a Peer Career Advisor in Career Services, volunteer as an EMT, and play for the women’s rugby team.

My interest in advocating for women’s rights and preventing gender-based violence began after reading “Our Bodies, Their Battlefield” by Christina Lamb in a freshman-year course on Global Public Health Ethics, Bioethics, and Religion. The stories of survivors living through conflict and the advocates who rose up to support them inspired me to learn more about the causes of gender-based violence and the efforts being made in prevention and supporting survivors.

I was drawn to Becky’s Fund because of its comprehensive approach to ending violence through both survivor support and prevention education. This summer, I am excited to contribute to the Men of CODE program, working with high school male athletes to promote leadership, empathy, accountability, and allyship. I look forward to learning more about nonprofit management, fundraising, and creating meaningful community impact.

In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my dogs, Willie and Charlie, listening to podcasts about true crime, science, and ancient civilizations, and volunteering at the dog shelter where we adopted Willie. I also enjoy drawing, coloring, crocheting, and playing rugby, a sport that has strengthened my communication, teamwork, and leadership skills both on and off the field.

🍃We are excited to welcome Anisha to DC and Becky’s Fund🍃

Hello, my name is Anisha Kumar. I’m from Los Angeles, California and am a rising junior at the University of California, Berkeley. I am majoring in Philosophy with double minors in Public Policy and South & Southeast Asian Studies. I am excited to be in Washington D.C. this summer as an intern with Becky’s Fund.

I am passionate about using the law to advocate for vulnerable women as well as help them advocate for themselves after experiencing trauma like assault and violence. During my time with the South Asian Helpline and Referral Agency, I helped women from various backgrounds understand what their rights are and the available options for support. I connected them with referrals, coached them through interviews and phone calls, and helped empower them to advocate for themselves. Through these conversations, I learned how intersectional identities can impact vulnerability to violence and abuse in unique ways.

My interest in supporting women through legal and social services as well as in gender equality led me to Becky’s Fund and their mission to to prevent and end domestic violence. This summer, I’m excited to participate in the solution - teaching young people how to recognize the red flags and build healthy relationships while supporting survivors as they heal from their trauma.

This summer, I hope to strengthen my skills in public speaking, research, data analysis, and trauma-informed care. Through this experience, I aim to continue developing the knowledge and tools necessary to pursue a career in trial law, where I hope to advocate for vulnerable women and amplify their voices in the courtroom. I am passionate about using the law to promote justice, support survivors, and help create meaningful change for those who need it most.

📌Nationally, 40% of high school students report persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness. Nearly 20% have seriously considered su***de, and almost 10% have attempted it.

🏛️In Washington D.C. 33.8% of high school students reported feeling so sad or hopeless for two or more weeks that they stopped participating in their usual activities.

🔦At the same time, research shows that strong connections, supportive relationships, and engagement in team sports can serve as powerful protective factors against poor mental health and suicidal ideation.

✨This is why programs like Men of CODE matter✨.

Too often, young men are taught to hide their emotions, carry their struggles alone, and wear armor instead of asking for help. Men of CODE creates a space where boys can take that armor off.
A space where they can be vulnerable, ask difficult questions, support one another, and build meaningful connections that go beyond the classroom.

Through honest conversations, mentorship, and community, learn that strength is not about silence—it’s about self-awareness, resilience, empathy, and the courage to reach out when they need help.

By investing in boys today, we are helping build healthier men, stronger communities, and a future where healthy relationships can thrive.

🙌Join us. Men of CODE 2026 starts this June.

🍃Please welcome Maggie as she joins our efforts in prevention and advocacy🍃

👋Hello, my name is Maggie Slusar. I am from Annapolis, Maryland and I am studying Politics Philosophy, Economics and Law along with Health Studies at the University of Richmond. I am interested in studying how legal systems and public health frameworks can collaborate to protect vulnerable populations and help them sustain long-term health and well-being.

I am especially interested in the intersection of law, trauma, and public health and how to help provide access to support and services and empower survivors in breaking the cycle of interpersonal violence. Through my studies, I have become increasingly interested in how legal advocacy can serve as a powerful tool to create systemic change and improve access to safety, justice, and support services for survivors.

Throughout my academic career, I have developed an interest in women’s rights and advocacy, public policy and education. I interned at the Anne Arundel County Circuit court where I’ve observed and worked on many criminal cases, including those involving domestic violence. I’ve also been a substitute teacher at a title one school, an experience that strengthened my understanding of the social and structural challenges many children and families face.

This summer, I hope to learn more about trauma-informed advocacy, survivor-centered policy work, and the role nonprofits play in advancing education and prevention efforts. I also hope to strengthen my skills in legal research, communication, public policy analysis, and community outreach, while getting hands-on experience doing intake.

After graduation, I plan to attend law school and pursue a career in trial law, with the goal of advocating for individuals whose voices are too often overlooked within the justice system.