When Boom’s boss sexually assaulted her at a company camping retreat, she was frozen with fear and disbelief until the next morning when she told a close coworker what had happened. As if in a trance, she moved through the next four days without speaking to anyone. When an HR representative from her company called to ask if she had been inappropriately involved with another leader, the floodgates burst open and her mix of fear, anger, and shame came flooding out. Boom shares her long road of navigating police procedure, her family’s concerns, and her eventual return to work. With strength and grace, Boom dove into her healing journey centered on helping and empowering others.
November is Native American Heritage Month! This month is dedicated to celebrating the rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories of Indigenous peoples. It is also an opportune time to help raise awareness about the unique challenges faced by Indigenous communities, especially Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit people.
When a man close to Kirielle’s family began smothering her with unreciprocated attention at 16, he, her church, and her family conditioned her to believe he was her only choice. After succumbing to marriage, she tumbled into a cycle of depression, manipulation, and assault. Her abuser was a master at twisting reality and convinced her it was all her fault, but there was a glimmer of self-preservation and Kiriele joined the military. As her husband’s abuse escalated in response to her attempts at self-preservation and independence, Kiriele found solace in new friends and a counselor, and recognized her story in a podcast she was listening to — the early seasons of We Are HER. When she learned that she could be a guest on HER, she used it as the catalyst to break free, begin her healing journey, and share her story to empower other survivors.
Losing her grandparents was a pivotal moment in Chihiro’s life. Beginning college and seeking her place in the world amidst this grieving was the ideal setting for an older classmate at her school to draw her in and enmesh her in a cycle of grooming. This was the precursor to abuse that would escalate so quickly it caught Chihiro completely off guard. She describes the dichotomy of being tethered to someone who promotes a charismatic, caring, and idyllic public facade while simultaneously controlling her every move and stripping her of even her freedom to grieve — ultimately culminating in a violent sexual assault. Chihiro shares her story with heartbreaking clarity and detail — reclaiming herself as she offers other survivors the gift of understanding.
Cheyenne is a spoken word artist and educator in the survivor world. She shares how her experience as a Black survivor has impacted her journey and how there is still so much work to be done in the survivor community to validate the experience of Black survivors. Cheyenne talks about how it’s not about changing things, it’s about starting over so that survivors of color can have an equitable experience in healing from trauma.
As Verónica's mind and body matured from child to teen, her father’s grooming, mental, physical, and sexual abuse escalated in tandem. When she rebelled at 19, the abuse hit an all-time high. Verónica's story navigates the complexity of family abuse and the layered, painful intimacy of a survivor harnessing the strength to tell her story and expose the truth in a court of law, leading to her father’s conviction.
Brooke had a good job in retail after moving to the glamour of Las Vegas, but before she knew it a handsome, charismatic man was dazzling her with flashy cars and a glimpse at a new kind of life she’d never imagined. As her feelings for him mixed with his role as a pimp and his pressure for her to join “the game,” she was barely aware of her slow descent into a life she could hardly comprehend. As Brooke moved on to another, more powerful man she became further enmeshed in a life of manipulation, addiction, and abuse. As she eventually pulled away from a life she’d known for more than eight years and began coming to terms with how she’d been trafficked and trapped, her long road to healing and self-worth would finally begin.
Michael Broussard is the founder of Ask A Sex Abuse Survivor and began his healing journey by putting on an interactive play that shared his story of being a childhood sexual abuse survivor. Michael explores the intricacies of healing and how anything from punk rock to cosplay can all contribute to growth.
Love bombing involves a barrage of extreme romantic gestures and grandiose declarations fit for a Hollywood rom-com — except it's much more fitting in a psychological thriller.
The first person Alicia told was her husband. They were both in tears when she confided in him. Alicia originally felt shameful because of it, but her husband has been so loving through it all. Alicia also has a group of key friends who are always there when she needs someone.
Growing up, Kristina was made very aware of child sex abuse. Her mother had been abused as a young child, so when Kristina was able to grasp the concept at a young age, her mother made sure to inform Kristina about the abuse she endured as well as ask if Kristina had experienced any trauma.
“I think it’s important to know that there is light at the end of the tunnel. It’s not an easy road, and it may take a couple of tries, but you will get there. I was able to completely turn my life around and find the love I deserve, and everyone deserves that love.”
