Utah Survivors

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.

Bekah Sparks lost her younger sister, her "person", Lisa Williams, to domestic violence homicide. Lisa was an amazing young woman, she was giving, loving, and do no wrong. Unbeknownst to the hosts beforehand, we recorded this episode on Lisa's birthday, September 17. After Lisa's death, Bekah tried to find meaning in her life, she has worked through the grief process with her family, and the Utah Homicide Survivors support group. 

After receiving help from Utah Homicide Survivors through the legal processes, Bekah felt like she needed to give back to those who have gone through the same experience as her, so she accepted the invitation to join the Utah Homicide Survivors Board of Directors. 

Listen to Bekah as she shares her experiences about the criminal justice system, the grief process, and how she found new meaning in her life after her sister's death.

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 https://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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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.

According to Maria, Brandon Merrill (one of the hosts of this show) tricked her into helping create and run Utah's first group therapy program that is exclusive for homicide survivors. Homicide survivors are close friends and family of homicide victims. This new group has helped survivors find community and those that understand their particular form of grief. The therapy group happens every other Wednesday from 7 pm - 9 pm. to sign up visit 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 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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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. Jolene's daughter Amanda was killed in a senseless murder. Before Amanda's death, Jolene received custody of Amanda's two daughters due to Amanda's struggle with addiction. Now 4 1/2 years later Jolene still finds herself struggling with the tragic loss of her daughter but is hopeful that others who have lost someone in this manner can find community and hope when they realize there are others out there who understand what they are going through. 

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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BreAnn Wilkes joins Brandon and Alex this week to discuss system based advocacy, the importance of having a therapist, and how to last in a job that is emotionally draining. 

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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Nick is your typical college student. Outgoing, friendly, fun. One day he accepted a message request from a stranger asking him about his LDS mission in Alabama he had recently returned from. The messages escalated from a few a day to hundreds everyday. When he cut off contact this person escalated their behavior and began stalking and harassing Nick, his family, and friends. One day Nick confided in his best friend who helped introduce him to the resources he needed to get this person to stop. But she didn't stop, and this led to her being convicted and spending time in the county jail. Hear how Nick was able to hold his stalker accountable, how he still struggles, and his story of being a male survivor. 

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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How often are we told we need to practice self-care and it just feels like another thing to add to our to-do list? This week we talk with Deborah Dilley about yoga, meditation, essential oils, and other way to provide self care after a trauma. Whether the trauma be personal or within an organization it is important to identify and care for ourselves in a realistic manner tailored to our needs. Deborah is all about making yoga accessible to all body types and lifestyles as well as affordable.  Deborah offers training to individuals and agencies on creating self-care and trauma stewardship plans- helping individuals find a plan that works for their unique needs and resources.

Email Deb: [email protected]
Website: http://ddilleyenterprises.com/home/empower/
Book on organizational trauma: http://organizationaltraumaandhealing.com/resources


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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When Deborah was was working towards a Master's degree. She met a charming young man. She fell for him...fast. Unfortunately, it wasn't the love story she was searching for. The charming young man she met was not who he seemed to be. He used her and controlled her. She learned 7 months into their marriage that she had married a man using a fake identity. One day, he packed his bags to leave for a job and never returned. But her story of survivorship didn't begin there. Listen as we talk with Debbie about how she survived an emotionally and financially abusive marriage and re-discovered who she was.

Power and control wheel: https://www.theduluthmodel.org/wheels/

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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After seeing a gap and need for aftercare services for adult survivors of sex trafficking, Cherstyn Stockwell started Dahlia's Hope. Dahlia’s Hope provides holistic aftercare services to survivors of sex trafficking who are ready to create a new life. It is the first treatment facility of its kind for trafficking victims in Utah. It will incorporate a few services in close proximity to each other, including: an education/training/treatment center, various therapy locations (including clinical therapy, recreational therapy, equine therapy, art therapy, animal therapy, and horticulture/garden therapy, to name a few), vocational training, life skills training, and, soon, residential housing. The treatment facility will also help connect survivors to medical and dental services. The primary goal of the organization is to help transition survivors into independent living, meeting each survivor exactly where they are in their own journey. The residential housing facility will be an off-site location that will provide safe housing for individuals who necessitate longer term care or cannot afford housing while receiving services from the treatment facility. 

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/

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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When Suzie Skirvin was 19, she was planning to join the Air Force. She moved to California, where she met someone on Tinder, dated him, and eventually agreed to move in with him. Just before she moved into his place, he took her out to a nice dinner. During the meal, he placed her purse with her phone, keys, and wallet on his chair and then asked her how she was going to pay for what he was providing. He then told her she was going to be a stripper and an escort. Suzie was trafficked and used by the man but eventually she was able to escape. Soon after her escape she visited a Dr. who told her that she was pregnant. Listen to Suzie's story of triumph and why she chose to become a police officer to be a voice for survivors of sex trafficking. 

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/

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

Support the show

This week celebrate National Crime Victims Rights Week, which is from April 19-25. So, this week is a little different than our other podcasts. First we talk about the history of victims rights, where to find them, and what victims rights are in Utah. We then interview several victims, asking why victims rights are important to them.

If you would like to speak to someone about victims rights, feel free to call Utah Crime Victims Legal Clinic at 801-746-1204.

Participate in this weeks social media campaign to bring awareness to victims rights in Utah by painting one ring finger blue. "Paint One Blue Nail to Stand for Victims’ Rights" and use the hashtag #1nailblue and #NCVRW2020

Due to the current corona social distancing, all activities to have been postponed to June. In June there will be a candle light vigil and a day of remembrance where we light the city blue. Turn to Utah’s National Crime Victims Rights Facebook Page for more details.

Victims Rights can be found here https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title77/Chapter37/77-37.html?v=C77-37_1800010118000101

Victims Constitutional Rights can be found https://le.utah.gov/xcode/ArticleI/Article_I,_Section_28.html?v=UC_AI_S28_1800010118000101

Music- “DNA by Na-G feat. Amber Lynn”

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

National:
https://victimsofcrime.org

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

http://www.utahvictimsclinic.org/ 

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

Support the show