While I was terrified to write down my biggest secrets, my worst experiences, my nightmares, something about the blog made me feel like I could do it. - Stephanie O’Reilly
Read MoreOn February 10th, Congress approved new legislation guaranteeing people who experience sexual harassment in the workplace the right to seek recourse through the courts.
Read MoreDanielle shares the stunning realization that what she calls her “day of innocence” — a beautiful day with her son — was the same day her attacker was busy planning an assault in her own home. After a grueling court battle in the midst of the Covid-19 Pandemic, Danielle works daily to not only cope but to thrive by writing her story of sexual assault and becoming an advocate for others, all while counting down the days to 12 years from now when her attacker will be released from prison.
Read MoreIn this episode, Grey reflects on their childhood and the abuse and neglect they received from their father. Now, as an adult, they are starting to question what healthy parenting looks like. Grey shares how as a teen, they didn’t always have the healthiest coping mechanisms but is able to share without shame. It’s clear Grey is learning to have compassion for themselves as well as sadness, as they begin healing their inner child.
Read MoreSydney Rae Chin is a destruction + liberation edu-guide who empowers humans to break up with societal norms through intuitive guidance. Sydney got into this work after experiencing sexual assault and going through the Title IX process. In this episode, Sydney shares their own story, talks about the limitations of online platforms like Instagram, and discusses how college sexual assault survivors need more options than Title IX in order to feel heard from higher ed.
Read MoreWith honesty and humility, Chris shares his journey of realization into the past traumas of his parents and how this cycle continued to play out in his own parenting dynamics. Chris shares his awakening that came amidst a parent training curriculum as part of his role overseeing a nonprofit parenting education program. Recognizing finally that he had been parenting through his own traumatic experiences, Chris fought through the shame and guilt to do the hard work of introspection necessary to set boundaries with family and break the cycle of intergenerational trauma.
Read MoreAfter leaving her abuser’s home, Alice learned that anger, abuse, and control were not the relationship norm as she’d been raised to believe. After breaking away, she’s focused on school, making a life for herself, and becoming a safe space for her younger sibling.
Read MoreIt's time for the holidays which means GIFTS! Why not make this holiday season a little extra special by supporting brands by and for survivors?
Read MoreWhen 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.
Read MoreNovember 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.
Read MoreWhen 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.
Read MoreLosing 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.
Read MoreCheyenne 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.
Read MoreAs 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.
Read MoreBrooke 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.
Read MoreMichael 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.
Read MoreLove 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.
-Rhianne Janice
Read MoreI truly believe I made it out so that I can use my story to help others find their strength to get out too.
-Elizabeth Jones
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