Utah Survivors

Jodie's sister, Amanda was killed in a senseless murder. We previously spoke with Amanda's mother, speaking with Jodie she shares about how she handled the death of her sister, being there for her nieces and nephews, and finding ways to remember and honor her sister all around her. 

If you are a survivor of homicide there are resources for you. Please reach out to Utah Homicide Survivors to get connected with these resources at 801-500-9077 or www.utahhomicidesurvivors.org 

If you are victim of domestic violence and are seeking help there are resources available: 

National- http://ncadv.org/

Local-
https://www.utahlegalservices.org/
https://www.legalaidsocietyofsaltlake.org/
https://timplegal.com/
http://www.utahvictimsclinic.org/
https://www.ucasa.org/

https://www.udvc.org/resources/get-help-now.html

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Shannon's journey into victim advocacy started when she was working for the Department of Corrections. While working in the prison system she saw a need for more resources for women leaving prison who were also victims of trauma. Listen to Shannon's story and how Journey of Hope helps women throughout Utah build a new life after prison and trauma. 

If you are a victim and also struggle with addiction or recent incarceration visit: https://journeyofhopeutah.org/

If you are victim of domestic violence and are seeking help there are resources available: 

National- http://ncadv.org/

Local-
https://www.utahlegalservices.org/
https://www.legalaidsocietyofsaltlake.org/
https://timplegal.com/
http://www.utahvictimsclinic.org/
https://www.ucasa.org/
https://www.udvc.org/resources/get-help-now.html

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Misty has been through hell and back several times. She started drinking at a young age and by age 13 she was a daily meth user. Her first day of high school she was raped. She got pregnant and lost her baby and because she refused to tell the school principal why she had missed school she was kicked out of school. That led to more destructive behavior. She was in several relationships where she was abused and assaulted. She was sober on and off for a few years.  After a suicide attempt she decided she had to stop or she was going to die. Listen to Misty's story of survival and how she has stayed sober for 16 years. 

If you are a victim and also struggle with addiction or recent incarceration visit: https://journeyofhopeutah.org/

If you are victim of domestic violence and are seeking help there are resources available: 

National- http://ncadv.org/

Local-
https://www.utahlegalservices.org/
https://www.legalaidsocietyofsaltlake.org/
https://timplegal.com/
http://www.utahvictimsclinic.org/
https://www.ucasa.org/
https://www.udvc.org/resources/get-help-now.html

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This week Alex and Brandon are joined by Nick Arteaga. Nick talks with us about the LGBTQ+ acronym, pronouns, and how to help LGBTQ+ victims of crime. 

Pride Center: https://utahpridecenter.org/

If you are victim of crime and are seeking help there are resources available: 

National- http://ncadv.org/

Local-
https://www.utahlegalservices.org/
https://www.legalaidsocietyofsaltlake.org/
https://timplegal.com/
http://www.utahvictimsclinic.org/
https://www.ucasa.org/
https://www.udvc.org/resources/get-help-now.html
https://justice.utah.gov/Crime/

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Harrison Spendlove woke up one morning with no recollection of what had happened to him the night before. What followed next was months of sickness until one day he got an answer. He tested positive for HIV. Listen to Harrison's story, how he maintains his sense of self, his compassion for others and how we can all be a little more accepting of our LGBTQIA+ neighbors, friends, and family.


"You Are A Survivor" mobile app: http://www.ucasa.org/app

If you or someone you know is a victim of rape here are some national and local resources to help-

National:
https://www.rainn.org/about-national-sexual-assault-telephone-hotline

https://victimsofcrime.org/help-for-crime-victims/national-hotlines-and-helpful-links

Local:
https://victimsofcrime.org/help-for-crime-victims/national-hotlines-and-helpful-links

http://www.utahvictimsclinic.org/

https://www.ucasa.org/resources

https://www.udvc.org/resources/get-help-now.html

https://utahpridecenter.org/

This podcast is supported in part by grant 18W2025 from the Utah Office for Victims of Crime, awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this program are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Office on Violence Against Women, the U.S. Department of Justice or the Utah Office for Victims of Crime.

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Tyler Schwab joins Brandon and Alex to talk about Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R.) and their aftercare programs. Tyler's unique experience starting his own anti-trafficking nonprofit brought him to O.U.R. where he has grown O.U.R.'s aftercare programs helping child sex trafficking victims after they are rescued.   

Music- “DNA by Na-G feat. Amber Lynn”

If you are victim of sex trafficking and are seeking help there are resources available- 

National:
https://www.dahliashope.org/
https://ourrescue.org/
https://www.humantraffickinghotline.org/

Local-
https://www.dahliashope.org/
https://www.utahlegalservices.org/
https://www.legalaidsocietyofsaltlake.org/
https://timplegal.com/
http://www.utahvictimsclinic.org/
https://www.udvc.org/resources/get-help-now.html

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Adopted to be trafficked, Kimberli Kocherhans endured severe physical and sexual abuse by the person who adopted her. Through the years of abuse and torture she was sold and traded within a vast community of abusers and as a result she suppressed many of these memories until she was a young adult. Now through years of therapy and healing she speaks out to help not only her healing process but the healing process of others trapped in the trafficking world.

Read Kimberli's story at http://www.anunexpectedlight.com/my-story/

 Learn about the Healing Center for Complex Trauma: https://www.thehealingcenterforcomplextrauma.org/

Music- “DNA by Na-G feat. Amber Lynn”

If you are victim of sex trafficking and are seeking help there are resources available- 

National:
https://www.dahliashope.org/
https://www.ourrescue.org/
https://www.humantraffickinghotline.org/

Local-
https://www.dahliashope.org/
https://www.utahlegalservices.org/
https://www.legalaidsocietyofsaltlake.org/
https://timplegal.com/
http://www.utahvictimsclinic.org/
https://www.udvc.org/resources/get-help-now.html

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October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, so this week we talk with the largest domestic violence coalition in Utah: Utah Domestic Violence Coalition. 

This weeks guests are Samantha Candland and Andi Tremonte from the Utah Domestic Violence Coalition. Join us as we talk about UDVC programs, LINKLine and how Dungeons and Dragons make them better advocates. 
Samantha Candland is the volunteer coordinator at UDVC. She has been involved with UDVC for almost two years. Her primary responsibility is to manage the LINKLine, which is a 24/7 anonymous and confidential crisis hotline where volunteers answer calls to help anyone experiencing domestic violence. All volunteers participate in an extensive 40-hour training before they take any calls because they are dealing with dangerous and highly sensitive situations. Volunteers help callers with everything from information, safety planning, advocacy and referrals to services.

Andi has an educational background in Psychology and Women and Gender Studies. Andi is the Education and Outreach Coordinator for UDVC. They support domestic violence service providers, sexual assault programs, and government organizations in Utah, offering support services for underserved clients as well as trainings and technical assistance.

If you would like to volunteer for the LinkLine or UDVC visit: https://www.udvc.org/get-involved/

If you or your organization would like to receive one of the many community or advocate trainings UDVC offers visit: https://www.udvc.org/training/

If you are victim of domestic violence and are seeking help there are resources available: 

National- http://ncadv.org/

Local-
https://www.utahlegalservices.org/
https://www.legalaidsocietyofsaltlake.org/
https://timplegal.com/
http://www.utahvictimsclinic.org/
https://www.ucasa.org/
https://www.udvc.org/resources/get-help-now.html

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Jane* (name changed to protect her identity) met her no ex-husband in high school. She was enamored by him, they got married at a young age but as soon as they were married her husband told her he didn't actually love her. This began years of emotional abuse. During the early years of their marriage Jane's husband became a law enforcement officer. The emotional and isolating abuse continued and eventually escalated into physical abuse, marital rape, and physical abuse to their children. Listen to Jane's story of survivorship, why she reconciled with her abuser multiple times, and how she helps women escape abusive marriages today. 

If you are victim of domestic violence and are seeking help there are resources available: 

National- http://ncadv.org/

Local-
https://www.utahlegalservices.org/
https://www.legalaidsocietyofsaltlake.org/
https://timplegal.com/
http://www.utahvictimsclinic.org/
https://www.ucasa.org/
https://www.udvc.org/resources/get-help-now.html

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September is Homicide Victim's Remembrance Month, so this month we are focusing on the stories of families of homicide victims or as they are known in their community: Homicide Survivors.

This week's organization guest is a BIG one. Brandon Merrill, your co-host sits down with Alex to talk about Utah Homicide Survivors, the organization he started. Listen as Brandon explains the services of Utah Homicide Survivors, legal aspects of homicide victim cases, and a special appearance by Bekah Sparks from last week talking about how Utah Homicide Survivors helped get her through the darkest time in her life. 

Utah Homicide Survivors' therapy group happens every other Wednesday from 7 pm - 9 pm. to sign up visit http://www.utahhomicidesurvivors.org/support

If you are a survivor of homicide there are resources for you. Please reach out to Utah Homicide Survivors to get connected with these resources at 801-500-9077 or http://www.utahhomicidesurvivors.org 

If you are victim of domestic violence and are seeking help there are resources available: 

National- http://ncadv.org/

Local-
https://www.utahlegalservices.org/
https://www.legalaidsocietyofsaltlake.org/
https://timplegal.com/
http://www.utahvictimsclinic.org/
https://www.ucasa.org/
https://www.udvc.org/resources/get-help-now.html

Support the show