Disclaimer:

This episode contains open discussions about personal trauma, including childhood sexual assault. Listener discretion is advised. We believe these conversations are vital to healing, leadership, and community care. Please prioritize your well-being and listen at your own pace.

If you or someone you know needs help, confidential assistance is available:

Your Local SAPR Office:

Every military installation has a Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC) and SAPR Victim Advocates (VAs) available 24/7.

Contact your base or installation operator or visit your command SAPR page for immediate assistance.

DoD Safe Helpline: www.safehelpline.org | 877-995-5247

Military OneSource: www.militaryonesource.mil | 800-342-9647

Veterans Crisis Line: www.veteranscrisisline.net | Dial 988 then Press 1

National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN): www.rainn.org | 800-656-4673

Military Sexual Trauma (MST) Resources via VA: www.mentalhealth.va.gov/msthome.asp

About the Episode:

Retired NCC Latonya “Tonya” Perossier joins Damo and Tish on this episode of ‘Permission To Speak Freely.’ Damo opens the episode by speaking about his fight to stay private and urging supporters to give him grace, depending on the setting they see him in. Tanya talks about her last job doing community outreach for the Navy Recruiting Command. The trio breaks from Navy talk to discuss the recent news of Shannon Sharpe getting “lined” and putting his future in jeopardy due to risky decision-making. The “decision-making” conversation turns into a conversation about getting married for BAH. During the podcast, Damo receives Tanya’s award-winning book, “Letter to the Eight-Year-Old Me,” and asks her about some of the stories that she shared in it. She details her upbringing, aspirations, and humble beginnings before sharing stories of physically, mentally, and emotionally struggling with the reality of being a victim of sexual assault and molestation at a young age. She talks about opening up to the concept of love and what “making love” really means. Tonya discusses maturing and learning to love herself and embrace her flaws. She gets into why she joined the Navy and her experiences with racism in the early 90s when she joined. Tonya addresses the loss of the MSISR scholarship, and Damo signifies the importance of connecting with people who had the same upbringing and experiences as you. Tanya discusses the potential for a second book and an audiobook version of her book. She discusses the power of counseling, therapy, and trauma. Tisha talks about her therapy journey.

To have your “Do Better” reviewed on a future episode, please get in touch with us at [email protected]

Keep up with the ‘Permission to Speak Freely’ podcast on our social media and YouTube - https://linktr.ee/Ptsfpodcast

Follow Latonya on Social Media:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/queenmetobe?igsh=MThpcGppcjR3bTZoYg==

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@latonyaperossier?_t=ZP-8vrb652nZlv&_r=1

Book of the Week: Letter to the 8 Year Old Me (Mrs. Latonya Yvette Perossier) https://www.amazon.com/Letter-8-Year-Old-Me/dp/B0B5KNWX2B

Additional Credits:

PTSF “Theme Music” - Produced by Lim0