Sexual Assault Survivor Stories

After a way too long wait for a follow-up interview with Lee Cooper, this week we finally get it done! Lee suggested a follow-up during a conversation we were having a few weeks ago…here it is! I’m thrilled to bring you this episode! In this conversation, Lee provides an update on his ongoing legal battle against his perpetrator, discussing the challenges he has faced within the UK justice system. He shares insights into the trauma of waiting for a trial and the difficulties of navigating police procedures. Additionally, Lee introduces Victorious Voices, a community he has built to support survivors of sexual assault, emphasizing the importance of connection and shared experiences in healing. Lee and I discuss the challenges and triumphs of the Victorious Voices project, which aims to give a voice to survivors of trauma through art. We got explore the impact of a recent exhibition at the University of Glasgow that faced controversy over the visibility of trauma-related art. The discussion emphasizes the importance of community, education, and the need to confront difficult subjects like child sexual abuse (CSA) to normalize conversations around mental health and trauma. You’ll hear how the exhibit was moved from it’s prominent position of being the first exhibit visible upon enter the building, to a secluded, almost “Invisible” place, nowhere close to its original positioning. Lee wants an apology, not just an excuse for why the exhibit was moved. Here are the names and contact links for writing to personnel at the University of Glasgow in helping our demand for an apology to Lee and the persons depicted in the exhibit who showed their strength and bravery in being photographed for the exhibit: There’s also a petition…and although the exhibit is over and gone, we’re asking for your help in the hope that the University will respond by allowing Lee’s exhibit to be displayed again! Please sign the petition by going to the link . In this episode, Lee and I talked about two people in particular who he has become friends with who have also been on this show: Scarlett Robison (Episodes 51 thru 53) and Plaman Dragenov (Episode 70). Again, I encourage you to listen to these episodes, as they are powerful, emotional, and educational! Thank you for being here to listen to Lee’s follow-up interview. After you’ve heard this episode, please do all you can to share this episode with everyone you know. And also, to Start By Believing…because we all know someone whose life has been impacted by rape or sexual assault. Another big favor I would ask is that you rate and subscribe to this podcast. It all helps the podcast grow, which in turn helps bring justice to victims and survivors of rape and sexual assault. By the way, it would be immensely appreciated if you would take just a few seconds of your time to please find the sexualassaultsurvivorstories page on Instagram and hit the follow button!! Thank you for being part of my audience, and please become a regular listener and subscriber! A positive rating would also be greatly appreciated! Here are the links you might be interested in, again, in case the hyperlinks don’t work: And other links I hope you’ll take the time to look at:   #napanews #arcigrey #thrivivors #thejanbrobergfoundation #janbroberg #safeinharmsway #epizonstrategy #intentionallyfearless #thelastimsorry #feelingsmall #sasspodcast #traumainformed #sexualassaultsurvivorstories #traumainformedexpert #sexassaultvictim #survivorsunite #rapevictim #sexualassaultsurvivorstories #podcast #markelconsulting #jessicapridelawfirm #gettraumainformed #safeinharmsway #projectbeloved #saan #irishangel #crimevictimsassistancecenter #coloradoassociationofsexcrimeinvestigators #girlsfightback #outdoordefense #worthfightingfor #thejanbrobergshow #thrivivors #thejanbrobergfoundation #sassyselfdefenseguide #badassselfdefense #imworthfightingfor #vawa #ashforduniversity #amandacoleman #remembermolly #fightrapeculture #forcescience

The abuses started early for Jeanna…she was just a young middle-school aged girl growing up in a blended family after her mother and father divorced, and her mother re-married a woman with sons who were older than Jeanna. She missed her father and tells how missing him led to her longing for acceptance from men. One of her older stepbrothers took an un-natural interest in Jeanna, and started complimenting her, telling her she was beautiful, and paying an inordinate amount of attention to her. But Jeanna’s young age and naiveté didn’t recognize what was the brother was doing to her, and the grooming process filled that longing she had been experiencing since her father had left. And it wasn’t long before the sexual assault started. But, again, Jeanna’s awareness of the situation didn’t immediately recognize what was going on as being something wrong. So, the assaults continued until the touching made her feel more and more uncomfortable. But bring up the situation to her mother and step-mother didn’t really solve the problem; while the sexual assaults from this particular stepbrother stopped, the blaming and shame she received from her mother and stepmother was palpable. Fast forward several years…Jeanna, still feeling the desires of being wanted and important to older boys and men, fell for an older school mate. This relationship evolved over time to become intimate, and eventually Jeanna ended up marrying this older boy who, while at first treated her at least with some respect, later became suspicious, jealous, controlling, and abusive, both emotionally and sexually. As these dynamics progressed, so did her husbands mental illness. Jeanna learned through all of this that leaving these types of abuses can easily become a life-or-death decision, and that timing is everything. Listen to Jeanna’s episode and you’ll come to an understanding, like I did, of how strong and courageous Jeanna was to finally leave the marriage, take the appropriate steps to safeguard her children, and to better her and her family’s situation by going back to school to get her degree and improve her lifestyle. The healing journey continues. And Jeanna continues to help heal others, too! Thank you for being here to listen to Jeanna’s story. After you’ve heard this episode, please do all you can to share this episode with everyone you know. And also, to Start By Believing…because we all know someone whose life has been impacted by rape or sexual assault. Another big favor I would ask is that you rate and subscribe to this podcast. It all helps the podcast grow, which in turn helps bring justice to victims and survivors of rape and sexual assault. By the way, it would be immensely appreciated if you would take just a few seconds of your time to please find the sexualassaultsurvivorstories page on Instagram and hit the follow button!! Thank you for being part of my audience, and please become a regular listener and subscriber! A positive rating would also be greatly appreciated! Please check out all this very important sites and links: Here are some important links I hope you will take the time to explore and subscribe to also:   #napanews #arcigrey #thrivivors #thejanbrobergfoundation #janbroberg #safeinharmsway #epizonstrategy #intentionallyfearless #thelastimsorry #feelingsmall #sasspodcast #traumainformed #sexualassaultsurvivorstories #traumainformedexpert #sexassaultvictim #survivorsunite #rapevictim #sexualassaultsurvivorstories #podcast #markelconsulting #jessicapridelawfirm #gettraumainformed #safeinharmsway #projectbeloved #saan #irishangel #crimevictimsassistancecenter #coloradoassociationofsexcrimeinvestigators #girlsfightback #outdoordefense #worthfightingfor #thejanbrobergshow #thrivivors #thejanbrobergfoundation #sassyselfdefenseguide #badassselfdefense #imworthfightingfor #vawa #ashforduniversity #amandacoleman #remembermolly #fightrapeculture #forcescience

Before getting into the specific notes of this week’s episode, I want to announce that this episode, on this date, marks the 2-year anniversary of Sexual Assault Survivor Stories, the SASS podcast! To all of you guests that are permanent members of the SASS family, and to all of you in the audience who listen occasionally or to every single episode, a huge note of gratitude to you from me, thank you and HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!! This is the wrap-up episode of John Carey’s 3-part series on this show…the closing of what has been one of the most difficult to hear stories of what can only be described as pure, horrific, family disfunction. From infancy to age 4, from what John remembers, his life was pretty good. Normal, by most standards. Certainly not abusive or damaging. But all that changed when John turned 4 and both parents suffered devasting, life-changing, brain injuries in that same year. That started what became a life of misery, poverty, physical abuse, mental anguish, filthy living conditions, rape, and sexual assault. And it didn’t let up until John left that horrific environment when he was old enough to leave. If you haven’t heard Episodes 108 and 109, I strongly encourage you to listen to those episodes prior to listening to this one. But if you’re not inclined to do that, or just don’t have the time, don’t let that stop you from listening to this episode. Here, John brings everything together, and he does it in such a way that you feel a sense of amazing accomplishment and success on John’s part. And well deserved that accomplishment and success are. Please go back and read the episode notes for the previous two episodes and learn about just a small part of what John has accomplished. John is nothing short of remarkable. If you care to reach out to John and thank him for his time and fortitude in telling his story, you can do so by emailing me Please rate this show and hit the subscribe button to be set up to receive a new episode weekly. Your positive ratings help this podcast grow and expand to new listeners. Ultimately it all adds up to help bring justice to victims and survivors of rape and sexual assault; because we all know someone whose life has been impacted by rape or sexual assault. Here are some important links I hope you will take the time to explore and subscribe to also: #kevintaylor #arcigrey #thrivivors #thejanbrobergfoundation #janbroberg #safeinharmsway #epizonstrategy #intentionallyfearless #thelastimsorry #feelingsmall #sasspodcast #traumainformed #sexualassaultsurvivorstories #traumainformedexpert #sexassaultvictim #survivorsunite #rapevictim #sexualassaultsurvivorstories #podcast #markelconsulting #jessicapridelawfirm #gettraumainformed #safeinharmsway #projectbeloved #saan #irishangel #crimevictimsassistancecenter #coloradoassociationofsexcrimeinvestigators #girlsfightback #outdoordefense #worthfightingfor #thejanbrobergshow #thrivivors #thejanbrobergfoundation #sassyselfdefenseguide #badassselfdefense #imworthfightingfor #vawa #ashforduniversity #amandacoleman #remembermolly #fightrapeculture #forcescience

It is a pleasure and an honor to re-introduce to you my guest this week for Part 2 of this multi-episode experience: Daniel John Carey. John is a renowned author, screenwriter, actor, voice actor, director, and filmmaker. John has published several books, two of which I can attest to you as being exceptional and life enhancing:  Dream Your World and Dream Another Dream. All of this makes John sound refined and polished and extremely together. And on many levels, he is: he is accomplished, sought after, and has received numerous accolades. And he’ll also be the first to say that because of his traumas and horrific experiences growing up, and as an adult looking to make his mark on the world, he struggles with PTSD and battles every day to maintain his sense of accomplishment and balance. He states, in fact, that he wrote his book, Dream Another Dream as a guide for his own life moving forward. In his social media posts, he also shares his battles of overcoming adversity and finding purpose on a daily basis. John was raised in an extremely dysfunctional household due to both parents having experienced relatively severe brain traumas when John was only 4 years old. How these closed-head injuries impacted John and his siblings makes for lives marked by poverty, child abuse, and child sexual assault; John's young life was a constant struggle. This is Part 2 of a multi-part series, in which John describes, in detail, story upon story upon story, his personal experiences and the impacts, both positive and negative, those experiences have on his life. It is all gripping, compelling, and yes, at times hard to hear. But this podcast is dedicated to “normalizing” the conversation, so it is an honor to be able to present these episodes for you. Please rate this show and hit the subscribe button to be set up to receive a new episode weekly. Your positive ratings help this podcast grow and expand to new listeners. Ultimately it all adds up to help bring justice to victims and survivors of rape and sexual assault; because we all know someone whose life has been impacted by rape or sexual assault. Here are some important links I hope you will take the time to explore and subscribe to also: https://arcigrey.com #kevintaylor #arcigrey #thrivivors #thejanbrobergfoundation #janbroberg #safeinharmsway #epizonstrategy #intentionallyfearless #thelastimsorry #feelingsmall #sasspodcast #traumainformed #sexualassaultsurvivorstories #traumainformedexpert #sexassaultvictim #survivorsunite #rapevictim #sexualassaultsurvivorstories #podcast #markelconsulting #jessicapridelawfirm #gettraumainformed #safeinharmsway #projectbeloved #saan #irishangel #crimevictimsassistancecenter #coloradoassociationofsexcrimeinvestigators #girlsfightback #outdoordefense #worthfightingfor #thejanbrobergshow #thrivivors #thejanbrobergfoundation #sassyselfdefenseguide #badassselfdefense #imworthfightingfor #vawa #ashforduniversity #amandacoleman #remembermolly #fightrapeculture #forcescience

It is a pleasure and an honor to introduce to you my guest for the next several episodes of this multi-episode experience: Daniel John Carey. John is a renowned author, screenwriter, actor, voice actor, director, and filmmaker. John has published two books (which I read portions of almost daily as part of my personal life-enhancing journey) All of that makes John sound refined and polished and extremely together. And on many levels, he is: he is accomplished, sought after, and has received numerous accolades. And he’ll also be the first to say that because of his traumas and horrific experiences growing up, and as an adult looking to make his mark on the world, he struggles with PTSD and battles every day to maintain his sense of accomplishment and balance. He states, in fact, that he wrote his book, Dream Another Dream as a guide for his own life moving forward. In his social media posts, he also shares his battles of overcoming adversity and finding purpose on a daily basis. John was raised in an extremely dysfunctional household due to both parents having experienced relatively severe brain traumas when John was only 4 years old. How these closed-head injuries impacted John and his siblings makes for lives marked by poverty, child abuse, and child sexual assault; John's young life was a constant struggle. This is Part 1 of a multi-part series, in which John describes, in detail, story upon story upon story, his personal experiences and the impacts, both positive and negative, those experiences have on his life. It is all gripping, compelling, and yes, at times hard to hear. But this podcast is dedicated to “normalizing” the conversation, so it is an honor to be able to present these episodes for you. Please rate this show and hit the subscribe button to be set up to receive a new episode weekly. Your positive ratings help this podcast grow and expand to new listeners. Ultimately it all adds up to help bring justice to victims and survivors of rape and sexual assault; because we all know someone whose life has been impacted by rape or sexual assault. Here are some important links I hope you will take the time to explore and subscribe to also: https://arcigrey.com #kevintaylor #arcigrey #thrivivors #thejanbrobergfoundation #janbroberg #safeinharmsway #epizonstrategy #intentionallyfearless #thelastimsorry #feelingsmall #sasspodcast #traumainformed #sexualassaultsurvivorstories #traumainformedexpert #sexassaultvictim #survivorsunite #rapevictim #sexualassaultsurvivorstories #podcast #markelconsulting #jessicapridelawfirm #gettraumainformed #safeinharmsway #projectbeloved #saan #irishangel #crimevictimsassistancecenter #coloradoassociationofsexcrimeinvestigators #girlsfightback #outdoordefense #worthfightingfor #thejanbrobergshow #thrivivors #thejanbrobergfoundation

This show has become a beacon, an inspiration, and a platform for many victims and survivors to have a safe place to tell their rape and sexual assault experience. This episode, featuring Kevin Taylor, a clinical therapist, is a prime example of what it means to gain strength, support, and growth from disclosing one’s own story of rape or sexual assault. I don’t have any more to say about this episode than to congratulate and thank Keving for being a remarkable guest with extraordinary strength and courage, and to encourage anyone who has tuned in to this episode to listen to it in it’s entirety; it’s that important and impressive! This is taken directly from the Psychology Today website () about Kevin: Kevin Taylor Licensed Professional Counselor, MA, LPC, NCC; Verified by Psychology Today I have a heart for people who've suffered trauma, struggled in life, and who may feel like they're broken or damaged, thinking no one understands, or worse, that nobody cares. If that’s you, I’d like to help you on a path to healing. I work with adults suffering symptoms of PTSD, veterans like myself (Marine Corps) while specializing in treating male survivors of childhood sexual abuse, and men who have experienced sexual assault and Military Sexual Trauma (MST). Disclaimer: I do not treat sex offenders. I want to hear your story. I aim to listen and support you as you take more control of your life. My hope is to help you feel understood, cared for, and rightly see your worth. Every person is significant and has the right to a fulfilling life beyond their issues, including you. Call or Kevin Taylor now for a free 15 minute consultation - Thank you for being here to listen to Kevin’s story. After you’ve heard this episode, please do all you can to share this episode with everyone you know. And also, to Start By Believing…because we all know someone whose life has been impacted by rape or sexual assault. Another big favor I would ask is that you rate and subscribe to this podcast. It all helps the podcast grow, which in turn helps bring justice to victims and survivors of rape and sexual assault. By the way, it would be immensely appreciated if you would take just a few seconds of your time to please find the sexualassaultsurvivorstories page on Instagram and hit the follow button!! Thank you for being part of my audience, and please become a regular listener and subscriber! A positive rating would also be greatly appreciated! Please check out all of these very important sites and links:  #kevintaylor #arcigrey #thrivivors #thejanbrobergfoundation #janbroberg #safeinharmsway #epizonstrategy #intentionallyfearless #thelastimsorry #feelingsmall #sasspodcast #traumainformed #sexualassaultsurvivorstories #traumainformedexpert #sexassaultvictim #survivorsunite #rapevictim #sexualassaultsurvivorstories #podcast #markelconsulting #jessicapridelawfirm #gettraumainformed #safeinharmsway #projectbeloved #saan #irishangel #crimevictimsassistancecenter #coloradoassociationofsexcrimeinvestigators #girlsfightback #outdoordefense #worthfightingfor #thejanbrobergshow #thrivivors #thejanbrobergfoundation #sassyselfdefenseguide #badassselfdefense #imworthfightingfor #vawa #ashforduniversity #amandacoleman #remembermolly #fightrapeculture #forcescience

I’m proud to bring you this week’s episode of SASS. Proud because I have the honor of introducing you to Shannon Hough, the CEO and co-founder of Shield of Sisters, and host of the companion podcast, Invisible No More: Lady Vetrans' Stories of Military Sexual Trauma. Shield of Sisters is a non-profit organization dedicated to “helping sister service members overcome military sexual trauma.” () There is a very strong and significant impact being made by Shield of Sisters: it is the only non-profit organization and website conceived by a female military veteran for female victims and survivors of military sexual trauma. Here’s more from the Shield of Sisters online homepage: The mission of Shield of Sisters is to support and empower Lady Veterans who have experienced Military Sexual Trauma by providing a sisterhood focused on healing and restoration. We create safe spaces where these courageous women can share their stories, access vital resources, and transform from surviving to thriving. We strive to foster resilience, strength, and hope, ensuring that every woman can reclaim her voice and triumph over trauma. Shield of Sisters (SOS) will one day be the premiere nonprofit organization for Lady Veterans who endured Military Sexual Trauma during their service to the United States. We will lead the way by raising awareness of this pervasive issue, collaborating with like-minded organizations, and advocating for policy changes within the Department of Defense to eliminate sexual assault in the military. Our Restoration Retreats will occur all across the United States and its territories with the assistance of regional and local SOS chapters. Shield of Sisters believes that we are duty-bound to help our sister service members overcome the weight of Military Sexual Trauma. It’s time to end sexual assault in our armed services. Founder and CEO, Shannon Hough, joins me on the show this week; what a pleasure it was to get to know Shannon and hear the passion in her voice about the organization she helped develop, as well as her excitement about the recently launched podcast, Invisible No More. There’s a sad aspect to the Shield of Sisters and Invisible No More platforms, and that is that there is a need for them in the first place. It’s a sad reality that rape and sexual assault exist in our society. And the fact that people who are in the military, whose oath is to serve and protect our country and the people who make up our country, and whose values are supposed to supersede the malevolent intent and acts of rape and sexual assault, are sometimes the perpetrators of these horrible acts, is shocking. Especially if you’re one of the victims of these atrocious crimes. The reported prevalence rate is one-in-three victims in the military. But that’s of the reported rapes and sexual assaults. The actual rate is most likely higher, as most people don’t report their rape or sexual assault crimes to the authorities. Another powerful aspect of Shannon is her own story of experiencing rape while in the Navy 30 years ago. And it wasn’t just one rape, it was multiple times, as she was in a coercive and manipulative relationship with a person who was not only of a higher rank than her, but was also a military police officer, and who was married to someone else. And there’s another shocking aspect to this horrific story that you’ll have to listen to the episode to hear about.  Thank you for being here to listen to Shannon’s story. After you’ve heard this episode, please do all you can to share this episode with everyone you know. And also, to Start By Believing…because we all know someone whose life has been impacted by rape or sexual assault. Another big favor I would ask is that you rate and subscribe to this podcast. It all helps the podcast grow, which in turn helps bring justice to victims and survivors of rape and sexual assault. By the way, it would be immensely appreciated if you would take just a few seconds of your time to please find the sexualassaultsurvivorstories page on Instagram and hit the follow button!! Thank you for being part of my audience, and please become a regular listener and subscriber! A positive rating would also be greatly appreciated! Please check out all this very important sites and links:   #arcigrey #thrivivors #thejanbrobergfoundation #janbroberg #safeinharmsway #epizonstrategy #intentionallyfearless #thelastimsorry #feelingsmall #sasspodcast #traumainformed #sexualassaultsurvivorstories #traumainformedexpert #sexassaultvictim #survivorsunite #rapevictim #sexualassaultsurvivorstories #podcast #markelconsulting #jessicapridelawfirm #gettraumainformed #safeinharmsway #projectbeloved #saan #irishangel #crimevictimsassistancecenter #coloradoassociationofsexcrimeinvestigators #girlsfightback #outdoordefense #worthfightingfor #thejanbrobergshow #thrivivors #thejanbrobergfoundation #sassyselfdefenseguide #badassselfdefense #imworthfightingfor #vawa #ashforduniversity #amandacoleman #remembermolly #fightrapeculture #forcescience

Ashley and I made our acquaintance when she reached out to me 7 months ago; she was making an inquiry about a criminal case that she was involved with regarding the rape report she had made with her local law enforcement agency. She was discouraged with not only how difficult it was to make the report to an investigator who was skeptical about her version of the experience, but also with how disheartened she had become over the way the case was investigated. Ultimately, as is a common happening in these types of cases, the case was closed and not prosecuted due to “insufficient evidence.” It is extremely frustrating for me to realize how, over and over, law enforcement agencies who do not have appropriate training in the neuroscience of trauma and memory, and what it means to be victim-centric in their investigative procedures, often overlook the psychophysiological evidence staring the investigators in the face, and choose to either not recognize it for what it is, or to ignore it; both are equally practiced. It took several months of therapy, education, and time to heal for Ashley to get to this point: the point where she is not only willing to share her sexual assault and rape experiences with the public but is actually excited to do so because she knows how helpful it is when victims and survivors share their experiences publicly. Ashley has been through extensive therapy, but also has been trained in being trauma informed, and certified as a sexual assault victim advocate. She knows firsthand what it means to be trauma informed and knows firsthand what it feels like to make a report to a law enforcement agency whose officers are not trauma informed. Ashley is now on a mission, like me, to educate as many people as possible on the benefits of being trauma informed in sexual assault and rape cases. You’re going to be impressed with Ashley’s story, and with her fortitude in pursuing this mission. Thank you for being here to listen to Ashley’s story. After you’ve heard this episode, please do all you can to share this episode with everyone you know. And also, to Start By Believing…because we all know someone whose life has been impacted by rape or sexual assault. Another big favor I would ask is that you rate and subscribe to this podcast. It all helps the podcast grow, which in turn helps bring justice to victims and survivors of rape and sexual assault. Oh, and one more thing…please find the sexualassaultsurvivorstories page on Instagram and hit the follow button!! Thank you for being part of my audience, and please consider being a regular listener and subscriber!   Please check out all this very important sites and links: Ashley’s Instagram: Ashley’s podcast on Spotify:    #arcigrey #thrivivors #thejanbrobergfoundation #janbroberg #safeinharmsway #epizonstrategy #intentionallyfearless #thelastimsorry #feelingsmall #sasspodcast #traumainformed #sexualassaultsurvivorstories #traumainformedexpert #sexassaultvictim #survivorsunite #rapevictim #sexualassaultsurvivorstories #podcast #markelconsulting #jessicapridelawfirm #gettraumainformed #safeinharmsway #projectbeloved #saan #irishangel #crimevictimsassistancecenter #coloradoassociationofsexcrimeinvestigators #girlsfightback #outdoordefense #worthfightingfor #thejanbrobergshow #thrivivors #thejanbrobergfoundation #sassyselfdefenseguide #badassselfdefense #imworthfightingfor #vawa #ashforduniversity #amandacoleman #remembermolly #fightrapeculture #forcescience

Before anything else, I’m going to encourage anyone who is reading these episode notes to go back to these SASS episodes and listen to the venerable Arci Grey: When I first started this podcast, I started searching all of the common social media sites, looking for anyone with the words “survivor” attached to their name, to see if they were past victims of rape or sexual assault so that I could potentially interview them for this show. I can’t recall now which site I found Arci on, but there was a link to a calendar that visitors to the site could sign up on to schedule an initial consult with her, which I did. A few days later, on the date I signed up for, Arci gave me a call. After brief introductions, I told Arci the reason I had reached out to her was to see if she was able to recount for me her rape experience. Arci was strong and resolute when she told me about the horrific experience of kidnapping, rape, sexual assault, and attempted murder that she had endured at the hands of a former boyfriend. He had tricked her into thinking that they could be business partners again with his father and lured her to his apartment under the guise of having a phone conversation with his father. What ensued was a multi-day experience of physical and emotional torture culminating with an attack on her life. Arci barely survived.   Arci’s healing journey is nothing short of miraculous. And from that journey sprang a series of occurrences and events that led to her completely changing her career path and becoming a force-extraordinaire for others to participate in her programs and coaching in order to transform their history of suffering and pain into a healing journey unlike most other conventional paths. All of Arci’s episodes reflect her powerful and amazing programs and trauma healing insights. Having Arci as a guest on my show is always an honor, a privilege, and an adventure! I am anxious for you to hear this episode. Please share this story…and don’t forget, also, to rate and subscribe to this podcast: Sexual Assault Survivor Stories… And I have another important request: go to the sexualassaultsurvivorstories Instagram page and find and click the “Follow” button! And finally, please do your part to help bring justice to victims and survivors of rape and sexual assault; Start by Believing, because we all know someone whose life has been affected by rape or sexual assault. Please check out all of these very important sites and links:   #arcigrey #thrivivors #thejanbrobergfoundation #janbroberg #safeinharmsway #epizonstrategy #intentionallyfearless #thelastimsorry #feelingsmall #sasspodcast #traumainformed #sexualassaultsurvivorstories #traumainformedexpert #sexassaultvictim #survivorsunite #rapevictim #sexualassaultsurvivorstories #podcast #markelconsulting #jessicapridelawfirm #gettraumainformed #safeinharmsway #projectbeloved #saan #irishangel #crimevictimsassistancecenter #coloradoassociationofsexcrimeinvestigators #girlsfightback #outdoordefense #worthfightingfor #thejanbrobergshow #thrivivors #thejanbrobergfoundation #sassyselfdefenseguide #badassselfdefense #imworthfightingfor #vawa #ashforduniversity #amandacoleman #remembermolly #fightrapeculture #forcescience

For those of you who have been following this show since the beginning almost 2 years ago, or who have had the opportunity to go back to listen to some of the early episodes, you’ll recognize this weeks’ guest: Mac McDonald. Mac was one of the four people who were on a panel of rape survivors who had been assaulted on their respective college campuses in New York state. Each of them has a gripping story of what it means to be raped, then not believed, or blamed for their own assaults. Such was the case with Mac…even her close friends denied or minimized her experience of rape, which only exacerbated previous traumas and sexual assaults she had endured. But Mac is a fighter. Mac sought help for her trauma experiences, and now is progressing through the hard work of fighting the daily grip of PTSD and downward spirals. She has an amazing support system of therapists and several friends, and of course her original sisterhood of the 3 other people who were on that panel with her. Mac fights her past every day. She leans on her therapists, her friends, and the joy that comes from her job of working with children in a daycare. These children support and lift her up with their innocence and curiosity, their laughter, and their sometimes-brutal honesty of inquiry and exploration. Because of all of this support, Mac not only survives her horrific past, but is thriving and growing every day. Please listen to this episode in its entirety…that would be greatly appreciated by Mac and myself. Then, as an extra dose of support, please subscribe to this podcast! AND, I want to make you aware of my new Instagram account: @sexualassaultsurvivorstories.  I have decided to take additional steps in furthering the power of this podcast and the community of victims and survivors that are guests and listeners of this show, but also for all of you who listen to support victims and survivors, and to learn more about the impact of rape and sexual assault, as well as the power of empathy through being trauma informed. Please visit the new account @sexualassaultsurvivorstories, and hit that FOLLOW button. Then, please take an extra moment to share this account with all of your followers and also ask them to follow @sexualassaultsurvivorstories. There’s power in numbers, believe me. And to make an even greater impact in our society, and in order to help bring justice to victims and survivors of rape and sexual assault, I have set a towering goal of 500,000 followers by the end of October! Don’t for a second believe that this cannot be accomplished…because it can!! If you follow, then ask all of your followers to also follow @sexualassaultsurvivorstories, the exponential growth can quickly help us get to this goal! I truly thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for your help in this endeavor!! Here are some links and sites I hope you look at, subscribe to, and read and learn about: @sexualassaultsurvivorstories (on Instagram)