It is an absolute pleasure and honor to welcome Jan Broberg back to the studio for this engaging conversation. Since Jan's initial appearance on Sexual Assault Survivor Stories, much has transpired, making it an incredible opportunity to catch up with her. If you haven’t listened to Episode 2 of this show, I strongly encourage you to do so…you’ll then be caught up as Jan and I delve into this thought-provoking discussion about the profound impact that watching "A Friend of the Family" had on Jan, and the various paths she continues to pursue on her journey of healing. Plus, Jan gives us some insights into the growth and exciting future of The Jan Broberg Foundation! This episode is truly remarkable, and she and I are thrilled to share it with you! Please tell everyone you know about this episode, and the podcast, and please rate the episode and subscribe to Sexual Assault Survivor Stories, if you haven’t already. In addition, I’d love to hear from you directly, so please feel free to email me at the address below and let me know your thoughts about this podcast! Also, please take note of the important links below: https://saprea.org

The last time I spoke with last week’s guest, Tim Cocanougher, aside from the episode interview, Tim was anxious to share with me his experience in working with the child forensic interviewer that had conducted the interviews for the last child sexual assault case that Tim had prosecuted. Tim excitedly told me how amazing she was, especially with regard to her level of education, knowledge and experience with the trauma-informed interviewing principles that we both strive to utilize iand teach in our work. He went on to say that she would be an excellent guest for my podcast and proceeded to give me the contact information for McCall Allen of the Barren River Area Child Advocacy Center in Bowling Green/Warren County Kentucky. McCall and I spoke by phone a few days later, and I learned that Tim was spot on: not only is McCall a child forensic interviewer, but also a clinical therapist, and a staunch advocate of trauma-informed interview principles that we hold dear on this podcast. It took a few short minutes of conversation before I knew that Tim was right: McCall would make an excellent guest on this podcast. It is a true privilege to introduce you to McCall in this episode. As you listen to her, you’ll recognize how McCall's passion for her work shines through as she educates us on the critical role played by child advocacy centers in our communities. These centers provide a safe space for child and teen victims and survivors to share their experiences and receive the support they need. As a clinical therapist and a child forensic interviewer, she has witnessed firsthand the positive impact child advocacy centers can have on the lives of these children and teens. These centers serve as a vital link between law enforcement, social services, and mental health professionals, ensuring that children are provided with comprehensive care. Through trauma-informed interview principles, McCall ensures that child and teen sexual assault and rape survivors are treated with respect, empathy, and understanding during the interview process. McCall and the BRACAC truly help bring justice to victims and survivors of sexual assault and rape.   To all my listeners: please remember to rate this episode, and to subscribe to Sexual Assault Survivor Stories whether you listen to every episode or not; your rating and subscription help make the podcast grow and be available to even more people, which also helps bring justice to victims and survivors of rape and sexual assault.  I also want to make you all aware of my new sponsor, Ciera Lancaster, a Younique Presenter. Younique is a make-up and skincare company whose mission is to uplift, empower, and validate women. Ciera joined me in the studio to introduce herself and Younique to my podcast listeners, and to describe the "Younique" relationship between SASS and Younique, especially with regard to Saprea.org. Check out Ciera's short spot in this episode, and learn why I am excited for this connection. And, check out Ciera’s links below on Facebook and Instagram to find out how you can order Younique products through Ciera. Please take note of the important links below:

Episode 32. COL Tim Cocanougher, ret.: Why Don’t Rape Cases Get Prosecuted More Often? If you caught Episode 6 last November, you'll remember my friend and colleague, Tim Cocanougher. Tim attended a Special Victims Unit Investigation Course I co-managed back in 2012 at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO. He's a retired Colonel from the JAG Corp of the US Army National Guard, specializing in investigating and prosecuting sexual assault cases. In that episode, we discussed how the trauma-informed approach to interviewing survivors helped Tim gather more information than he thought possible, and we emphasized the importance of being trauma-informed to avoid re-traumatizing victims during investigations. Our current episode stems from our ongoing conversations about the difficulties of prosecuting rape and sexual assault cases. We explore why these cases struggle to reach court and why obtaining guilty verdicts proves challenging for prosecutors. Tim graciously agreed to join me again to address the question: "Why don't rape cases get prosecuted more often?" We believe this discussion will provide clarity to victims and survivors navigating the confusing and frustrating criminal justice process. It's a comprehensive and enlightening episode that tackles these complex issues head-on. Please listen to this episode and share it with others. Your support and engagement help bring justice to victims and survivors while aiding the growth of our podcast. I would greatly appreciate your feedback, so please take a few minutes to leave your thoughts and suggestions on the podcast platform. Your insights will help us improve the show and continue our mission. If you're a victim or survivor of rape, sexual assault, or any form of interpersonal violence and would like to be a guest on our show, please email me. Let's have a conversation. Thank you for being part of our efforts. And remember to do your part to bring justice to victims and suvivors of rape and sexual assault…together, we can make a difference because we all know someone whose life has been affected by rape or sexual assault. And by the way, if you’re a victim or survivor of rape, sexual assault, or any type of interpersonal violence, and you would like to be a guest on this show, email me…let’s talk about it!

31. A Perspective Inspired by her Sister’s Courage: Donnell Cameron Tells of Her Own Experience of Sexual, Physical, and Emotional Assault. WARNING: This episode is explicit and detailed in the descriptions of rape, sexual assault, and interpersonal violence. It is not appropriate for children, and extreme discretion is advised in keeping the listening audience restricted to only appropriately aged and emotionally capable persons. I won’t pretend that I wasn’t shocked when, after last week’s episode of Leanne Cameron sharing her devastating experience of being raped for several years by her mother’s boyfriend when Leanne was young, I was contacted just a day after that episode aired by Leanne’s sister, Donnell. When I saw Donnell’s last name in the heading of the email she sent to me, my stomach dropped at the prospect that maybe Donnell was writing to tell me that she was not happy about her sister being on my podcast. But that wasn’t the purpose of her email at all…Donnell was reaching out to me to express her desire to also be on the show, and to tell her version of being sexually assaulted by the same person who had raped her sister. And not only sexually assaulted, but physically and emotionally assaulted as well. This week’s episode is a multi-leveled listening experience. You’ll hear Donnell bravely tell her perspective of what it was to experience sexual, physical, and emotional assault at the hands of the same person who had raped her sister; and how different that impact was, even though it was assault from that same perpetrator. And how Donnell’s emotional response to the assaultive behaviors was totally different from the responses of her sister. And how those totally different responses have had a totally different outcome in Donnell’s life, contrasted to the outcomes in Leanne’s life. And yet, how all those differences are somehow the same when it comes to healing and caring enough to share those experiences with others to further their healing journey. Trying to describe these immense differences in these episode notes wouldn’t do justice to the way Donnell is able to relate her experience courageously and succinctly. So, I’ll just let you get to the listening... Please listen to this episode, then tell everyone you know to give it a listen. And please rate this episode and subscribe to this podcast…even if you don’t listen to every episode; your listening helps bring justice to victims and survivors, and helps this podcast grow! Thank you for being a part of these efforts. It matters, because we all know someone whose life has been affected by rape or sexual assault. And by the way, if you’re a victim or survivor of rape, sexual assault, or any type of interpersonal violence, and you would like to be a guest on this show, email me…let’s talk about it!

30. Leanne Cameron: New to Telling Her Story, and Grateful She Did! WARNING: This episode is explicit and detailed in the descriptions of rape and sexual assault. It is not appropriate for children, and extreme discretion is advised in keeping the listening audience restricted to only appropriately aged and emotionally capable persons.  As with every victim/survivor who has been a guest on my show, the impact of their story has been evident and palpable, and it has made a difference in someone’s life. It’s the reason this podcast exists, and it’s why I am honored and privileged every time a survivor agrees to talk with me. But it never ceases to amaze me when someone reaches out to me, instead of me reaching out to them. Such is the case with this episode: as a response to last week’s invitation to email me if one of you, my listeners, wanted to be considered to be on this show, Leanne Cameron emailed me and shared her story of being raped as a child. Her story was compelling, and I immediately wrote back to Leanne. Those emails led to me having the privilege of having a Zoom call with Leanne, at first with the intention of discussing the possibility of having her on this show; but it only took about one minute to determine that Leanne would make an exceptional guest. She came across as articulate, able, and willing to tell her story. And it was obvious that telling her story would impact many listeners in very positive ways. It is an honor to introduce you to Leanne Cameron. Leanne’s desire in being on the show is to help other victims and survivors realize that they are not alone while, at the same time, bringing awareness to the magnitude of the widespread scourge of rape and sexual assault. Leanne has a deep desire to help bring justice to victims and survivors of rape and sexual assault, and felt that by telling her story, and telling others to Start by Believing, she would accomplish this, and more; in her words, “I want to change people’s perceptions of victims, stop victim blaming, help Start by Believing, and understand why we can’t talk about [rape] straightaway.” Well, Leanne, you’ve got a great start on all of this. And it’s a job well done. Please listen to this episode, then tell everyone you know to give it a listen. And please rate this episode and subscribe to this podcast…even if you don’t listen to every episode; your listening helps bring justice to victims and survivors, and helps this podcast grow! Thank you for being a part of these efforts. It matters, because we all know someone whose life has been affected by rape or sexual assault. And by the way, if you’re a victim or survivor of rape, sexual assault, or any type of interpersonal violence, and you would like to be a guest on this show, email me…let’s talk about it!

29. Carrie Elizabeth Grant: Carrie’s Impact is Powerful! WARNING: This episode is very graphic, explicit, and detailed in the descriptions of rape, sexual assault, and the pain that is the product of rape and sexual assault on a victim; it is not appropriate for children, and extreme discretion is advised in keeping the listening audience restricted to only appropriately aged and emotionally capable persons.  The fact that there are survivors of rape and sexual assault who want to tell their story in order to help other victims and survivors come to a place where their mind realizes that they aren’t alone in their pain, shame, and bewilderment of how to get through the self-blame and on-going strife, is what Sexual Assault Survivor Stories is all about. And Carrie is one of those people, who through our chance meeting almost a year ago by way of The Jan Broberg Foundation, suggested to me that she was willing to be on this show. I remember our discussion…she told me that she hadn’t told very many people about her childhood rapes and the later sexual assaults and additional rapes, and that she felt it might be hard for her, but that she was willing, should I ever want to interview her.  It's been months since we had that discussion, and I recently reached out to her and asked her if she was still willing to share her story. She didn’t hesitate. She told me that she was willing, and that even though she knew it would be difficult, she still wanted to share with the SASS listeners what she had been through and how she had gotten to the point where she was healing and thriving. Carrie is a brave and courageous woman. She exudes strength and determination. And even though she still struggles every day with that inner voice that tries to fill her head with negative thoughts of herself, she pushes back by posting on Instagram, thoughts and quotes and passages of encouragement, and educational statistics, and beautiful content of hope and healing. It’s her way of helping bring justice to victims and survivors or rape and sexual assault. I appreciate Carrie and all she is doing to help victims and survivors. And after listening to her story and words of encouragement, I think you, too, will appreciate Carrie. Thank you for listening. 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, and that when you listen to others tell their story of rape or sexual assault, you’ll Start by Believing. Don’t forget to rate this episode, and subscribe to Sexual Assault Survivor Stories, the SASS podcast. I appreciate your support.

28. A Deeper Dive on the Impact of Rape & Sexual Assault   Following up on my previous episode on the impact of sexual assault and rape regarding trauma memory, this episode goes a little bit deeper: I discuss the impact of rape and sexual assault on the decision to report the rape…to law enforcement, or anyone else for that matter. The reporting rate is extremely low, especially when it comes to law enforcement reporting. Why?...well, there are hundreds of reasons, and only a few are listed in this episode. But when you think about it, really there’s no surprise in the low reporting rate, to law enforcement or anyone else: the negative ramifications and rape stigma is overwhelming. And it all speaks to the devastating effect of our rape culture.   It's time to put a stop to rape culture. It’s time to speak out against rape and rapists. And it’s time to Start by Believing and letting the victims and survivors of rape and sexual assault tell their story in their own words, in their own timing, and in their own way. That’s what Sexual Assault Survivor Stories is all about: giving victims and survivors a platform to tell their stories of rape and sexual assault, then to empower them to heal and thrive so that other victims and survivors will have the encouragement and support to do the same, until we change our rape culture into a culture of discussion, prevalence reduction, healing, and thriving.   Join us…tell others about this podcast, and then do more to 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.   Feel free to email or text me with your thoughts and impressions about SASS…and please rate and subscribe to Sexual Assault Survivor Stories; your ratings and subscriptions are deeply needed and appreciated!   The Phenomenology of Rape, Lebowitz & Wigren, 2005.

27. Nicole Florisi: A Conversation on Trauma Impact, Recovering, and Surviving! I have the true pleasure and honor of hosting Nicole Florisi this week, as she returns to the show. She was a guest back in mid-January with her training colleague, and a good friend of mine, Von Kliem. I’m excited to have Nicole back for this episode. Nicole shares with us her vast knowledge of the neuroscience of trauma, and I think even more importantly, the impact of interpersonal trauma on our daily lives. Because of Nicole’s astounding educational and experiential background, she can speak to the many different intricacies and complexities of the impact of trauma, but she does so in such a unique and comprehensive way, that listening to her is enlightening AND entertaining. Nicole is passionate and zealous about helping people…it’s in her veins to do so. And that passion and zealous heart comes out as you listen to her. I know you’ll feel it…it’s impossible not to. So, my deep appreciation and gratitude go out to Nicole for her willingness to come back and speak to us! Nicole mentioned, in our conversation, that she would be willing to answer any questions you might have about the topics we discussed in this episode. So, I’m posting her email below. And mine to!...don’t be shy, we would both love to hear from you! Please share this episode with everyone you know…you’ll be helping to bring justice to victims and survivors of rape and sexual assault. And another way to do that is to Start by Believing. These are both intensely important, because we all know someone whose life has been affected by rape or sexual assault. https://.org

26. Alan Manwaring: The Executive Director of the Jan Broberg Foundation on the Challenges of Victims and Survivors Telling Their Story In August of 2022 I was working with The Jan Broberg Show Podcast as a trauma-informed interview consultant and an adviser to The Jan Broberg Foundation. Jan told me that she was interested in having a guest on her show who had been a life-long friend of hers, and who had a story of childhood sexual assault, but wasn’t quite sure he was ready to fully express his sexual assault and rape story. She asked if I would meet him and talk to him about the process of being on her show as a guest. A short time later I met this friend of hers, Alan Manwaring. Via email, Alan shared with me a written narrative of his story; we didn’t meet until a few weeks after that; but, in an instant a strong, brother-like, bond happened. As a side note, at the time, I had no idea what an accomplished and important figure he is on the diplomatic stage of national security, and his history of helping his father in that capacity; what an amazing story that is!...he talks about that in this episode. It wasn’t long after that, that I also learned that, because of his strong and vast experience of working with non-profit organizations, Jan had asked Alan to onboard with The Jan Broberg Foundation as the Executive Director. Suddenly, Alan and I were work colleagues. It became evident to me, and him, that our shared respect and admiration for Jan and her Foundation, was going to keep us in a very strong work, and friendship, relationship. Alan and I have shared with each other our like-minded feelings of how important it is for victims and survivors of rape and sexual assault to talk about their stories and to continue on the trauma recovery path, daily. Then, we decided to do an episode on this topic on my show…this is that episode! It’s another of our many endeavors to continue to help bring justice to victims and survivors of rape and sexual assault, and its intent is to acknowledge what a difficult and challenging journey it is to tell others of one’s own story of victimization and the recovery process. Alan and I both hope that if you are a victim or survivor of rape, sexual assault, or any interpersonal violence for that matter, that you are encouraged and uplifted by this episode. And if you’re not in any of those situations, that you’ll have a deeper understanding of those who are. Thanks for listening, and please share this episode with everyone you know.

25. Julian Jones: A Male Survivor Tells His Story of Relationship Rape, and How He Survived WARNING: This episode is very graphic, explicit, and detailed in the descriptions of rape, sexual assault, and drugging that occurred to this guest; it is not appropriate for children, and extreme discretion is advised in keeping the listening audience restricted to only appropriately aged and emotionally capable persons. Julian Jones texted me. He wanted me to know that he had listened to every episode of Sexual Assault Survivor Stories. And he wanted me to know that he is a survivor…a survivor with COMPLEX PTSD (CPTSD), but a survivor, none-the-less. And Julian wanted me to know that he is ready to talk about his relationship rape because he was so inspired by my previous guests, Caroline Markel Hammond, Haley Roma, Arci Grey, and all of the other guest survivors. And Julian wants everyone to be aware of how strong rape culture is in Australia, and how he wants to do something about it…by talking about it and making people aware of the vast prevalence of relationship and other kinds of rape and sexual assault. Because he knows from experience of these elements. Julian impressed me—and in short order made me realize that he was definitely someone I wanted you to hear from. I cannot begin to tell you how impressive Julian is…for many reasons (some of which I just listed), but you’ll pick up on that straightaway as you listen to this episode. I was constantly in awe of how articulate Julian is in telling his story, and of how courageous and brave he is to tell his story despite the threats he has received for talking about his experience. But most of all, I was totally in awe of how authentic and forthright Julian is about his own rape and survival story. He is in the ongoing process of healing, even though he knows what happened to him he will never be able to forget. But he’s okay with that because it has inspired him to tell others; and because he wants to do his part to bring justice to victims and survivors of rape and sexual assault. I want to remind you to follow Julian’s example. One of the best ways to do that is to Start by Believing. And, please, tell everyone you know, and all your family, to listen to Sexual Assault Survivor Stories; and please rate and subscribe to/follow this podcast. Feel free to drop me a note and give me your thoughts about Sexual Assault Survivor Stories; I’d love to read your comments. Thanks for listening!