Today’s episode was truly an enjoyable show to record: my guest is Matt Stegner, a former police officer having served with both the Atlanta (GA) Police Department and the New York State Police. We currently share the same profession…Matt is a trainer/consultant in specializing in trauma-informed investigations of sexual assault and rape cases. I had the pleasure of meeting him at an End Violence Against Women-International (EVAWI) conference after an amazing presentation he did. It’s truly and honor and privilege to know Matt and call him a friend. Here's a little bit about Matt from his website: “His extensive experience as a Senior Investigator with the New York State Police (Ret.), especially in handling complex criminal investigations, speaks volumes about his expertise and dedication to the field. His specialization in areas like sexual assault, child exploitation, internet crimes against children, and interpersonal violence investigations showcases a commitment to addressing some of the most sensitive and crucial aspects of law enforcement.” (Cite: )  I encourage you to check out Matt’s website and learn more about him and his amazing work! Here are the links to a couple of articles Matt has written:   I want to remind you—we all have a role to play in this fight. The first step? Start by Believing. When a survivor reaches out to tell their story, we need to listen without judgment, without skepticism. We need to believe them…because we all know someone whose life has been touched by sexual assault—whether it’s a friend, a family member, or even ourselves. The more we normalize these conversations, the stronger we become in pushing back against rape culture and the systems that perpetuate it. An important side note: if you’re finding value in these episodes, please take a moment to leave a 5-star rating on your podcast platform. AND,  please send me a note of support. I can’t tell you how much your emails mean to me—they fuel my passion to keep this podcast going. Here’s my email address:   I truly look forward to hearing from you! Thank you again for being part of this journey with me. Don’t miss next week’s episode as I bring you a new, compelling episode —right here on Sexual Assault Survivor Stories, the SASS Podcast. See you next week. In the meantime, we encourage you to share this episode with your friends, family, and colleagues. Spread the word about Sexual Assault Survivor Stories, as we continue to amplify the voices of survivors and educate the public and professionals on the importance of trauma-informed care. Together, we can make a difference. Resources: If you or someone you know is struggling with the impact of sexual assault, please reach out to a professional or utilize resources such as or Local Support Resources. Subscribe and Support: Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode of Sexual Assault Survivor Stories; and, give us a five-star rating! Your support helps us continue to provide this important platform for survivors and advocates alike. I hope you will also do your part to bring justice to victims and survivors of rape and sexual assault. You can do that by sharing this episode with others. Also, please follow the Instagram page of sexualassaultsurvivorstories. It also helps the show grow, which is what I hope to accomplish to help lessen the prevalence of rape and sexual assault, as well as the prevalence of rape culture that surrounds us all. It only takes a minute, and I truly appreciate your support.  On another note: I am a strong advocate and supporter of Survivor School (SS), founded and directed by CEO Arci Grey. In fact, Arci has made me a consultant to SS as she maneuvers the intricacies of directing and managing the content and growth of her amazing organization. I encourage you to strongly consider becoming a member of SS, and as an affiliate would appreciate it, if you do decide to become a member, to use this link: Thanks again for listening! And as always, listed below are some additional important and meaningful websites I hope you’ll take a look at and learn more about.   My email address: