76. To Tell or Not To Tell: The Sexual Assault Survivor’s Conundrum
Sexual Assault Survivor Stories Podcast - SASS
Release Date: 03/12/2024
87. Caroline Markel: She’s Back This Month; "Big, Bold, and Unapologetic!"
Sexual Assault Survivor Stories Podcast - SASS
Because Caroline was traveling so much of last month, I wasn't able to record an April episode with her. But now, she’s back home and busy at work. But not so busy as to miss another episode with me! This month, Caroline talks about where she was these past several weeks, who she was traveling with, what they were doing on this extended trip, and the many insights and lessons she learned along the way. That discussion, in and of itself, was intriguing…but wait ‘til you hear what else she’s been working on, in terms of her healing journey! Caroline is transparent and honest in how...
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86. Kelly Justus: Embracing Her Own Healing Through Action—Promoting Project Callisto's Mission
Sexual Assault Survivor Stories Podcast - SASS
Kelly and I have a few things in common: our admiration and support of the mission of Project Callisto, and our belief that normalizing the converstation around rape and sexual assault will help reduce the prevalence of rape culture. With regard to Callisto: I won’t go into the full explanation of how Callisto works, you can find out that information on their website; but suffice it to say that Callisto is a platform built for victims and survivors of rape and sexual assault to anonymously provide information about their perpetrator into an encrypted vault system to match victims to a...
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85. Roger Canaff: A Former Sexual Assault Prosecutor and Highly Qualified Expert Gives Us His Insights!
Sexual Assault Survivor Stories Podcast - SASS
Having Roger Canaff join me on this show has long been a goal, and I finally was able to reconnect with this former colleague. I met Roger when I was working for the US Army in a position known as a Highly Qualified Expert for the Criminal Investigation Command (known as CID-Criminal Investigation Division). Part of my job was co-managing a 2-week Special Victims Unit Investigation Course (SVUIC), conducted at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri, and at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Brunswick, GA. Roger was also hired by the Army as an HQE, with the Judge Advocate...
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Bonus Episode: Cassie Nicholas Needs Our Help!
Sexual Assault Survivor Stories Podcast - SASS
Hey there SASS listeners…this is a special edition episode of SASS to ask for your help… If ever there was someone in need of our financial help, one of our own SASS family members, Cassie Nicholas, is currently that one! Most of you have heard Cassie's two episodes here on SASS and know of the horrific circumstances she has endured throughout her life—not only regarding the rapes and sexual assaults she has endured, but also the immense psychological and physical abuses of being trafficked. Cassie now faces even more trauma!...in the middle of April, Cassie’s car overheated and caught...
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84. Jessica Michaels: Raped by Billionaire Jeffrey Epstein, Jess is Now Promoting Sexual Assault First Aid-PART 2
Sexual Assault Survivor Stories Podcast - SASS
When it came to healing from her rape by Jeffrey Epstein there first had to be a realization by Jess Michaels that she was raped. Because, Jess had been taught by society and the culture of the 90’s that what had happened to her must not have really been rape…she hadn’t screamed, she didn’t try to fight him, she hadn’t even tried to push him off her—she didn’t do anything that would, in her mind, have been the response of someone who was being raped; she just froze. But she knew something was wrong. She felt it. Her life routines, her world view, and her new, misunderstood...
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83. Jessica Michaels: Raped by Billionaire Jeffrey Epstein, Jess is Now Promoting Sexual Assault First Aid; Part 1
Sexual Assault Survivor Stories Podcast - SASS
It’s difficult to imagine having a bright future with a life full of promise, fame, and prestige, living that life doing exactly what you were wanting to do: dancing, modeling, acting, singing, and a career trajectory that was leading to Broadway and world travel and fame on July 8, 1991…and then on July 9, 1991, having it all stomped out in just a few minutes by a man whose only goal was to rape. That’s what Jeffrey Epstein did to Jessica Michaels. Jessica barely knew Jeffrey Epstein. She had only met him briefly to talk about the possibility of working for him doing massage; when he...
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82. Dr. Lori Pitts: From Childhood Sexual Assault to Founder of Still Whole Wellness, Dr. Lori Recognizes Her Gift of Healing
Sexual Assault Survivor Stories Podcast - SASS
It was only two weeks ago that I had Anne Winslow on this show to talk about her new role as Co-Executive Director of the Sexual Assault Advocacy Network, SAAN, an online community of advocates, victims, and survivors of rape and sexual assault. During our discussion, Anne mentioned that the former Executive Director of SAAN was Dr. Lori Pitts, who is now Anne’s life coach and healing guide, and someone about whom Anne couldn’t say enough good things. (Dr. Lori is the founder and Executive Director of .) After our recording session, before Anne could even tell me that I should consider...
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81. Cassie Nicholas Returns: New Trauma Memories Lead to New Ways to Heal!
Sexual Assault Survivor Stories Podcast - SASS
Recording this episode was a fantastic experience...I was fortunate to have my guest, Cassie Nicholas, join me in the studio! It’s not often that this occurs, as most of my guests are long distances from St. George, UT. But Cassie is staying in a nearby city and was willing to drive into town to record this episode. It was a real delight that we got to see each other in the sense that it was awesome to get caught up on our almost year-long friendship; a friendship that started when Cassie emailed me in June of 2023, asking to be a part of this podcast. (Listening to her previous episode...
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80. Anne Winslow: A Gentle Yet Powerful Voice for Survivors
Sexual Assault Survivor Stories Podcast - SASS
The last time Anne was on this show was just over a year ago. She shared with us her harrowing story of enduring almost 30 years of intrafamilial rape as well as marital domestic violence and rape. Yet, despite all of that, Anne managed to become one the most softspoken advocates for others who’ve endured similar experiences as she advocated and guided others through her outreach with the Sexual Assault Advocacy Network (SAAN). She continues to work with that amazing organization, except that now, she does so in the position of Co-Director! Anne also explains in this episode that she is...
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79. Ray Epstein: The New Kid in Class Brings Hidden Terrors
Sexual Assault Survivor Stories Podcast - SASS
Some communities are safe harbors of individuals who identify as an assemblage who have known each other for a long time…grown together, supported each other, learned together…who have the common denominator of having gone through the same things together, particularly school. Such was the case for Ray Epstein as she progressed through a very small elementary school and middle school. Her friends and classmates were people with whom she grew up…she knew all of them and they all knew her. And while she never considered herself part of the popular group because, as she saw it, she was a...
info_outlineSexual assault is a deeply personal and often traumatic experience that affects millions of individuals worldwide. For survivors, the decision to share their stories with the public is one fraught with complexities and potential consequences. In this episode I’ll help examine and explain the pros and cons of someone telling their sexual assault story to the public, or anyone for that matter, considering both the individual's perspective and the broader societal implications.
Here's some of the highlights:
Cons of Sharing:
1. Re-Victimization and Trauma
2. Loss of Privacy and Control
3. Impact on Relationships and Careers
4. Secondary Trauma for Loved Ones
Pros of Sharing:
1. Empowerment and Healing
2. Raising Awareness and Breaking Stigma
3. Holding Perpetrators Accountable
4. Inspiring Change and Advocacy
The decision to share a sexual assault story publicly is deeply personal and complex. While speaking out can expose survivors to potential re-victimization, loss of privacy, and negative consequences for their relationships and well-being, research shows that there are some overwhelmingly important benefits to disclosure that should be strongly considered, including empowering oneself and other survivors, raising awareness, and holding perpetrators accountable. Ultimately what I think is most essential is to support survivors in making informed choices about sharing their stories, respecting their autonomy, and providing them with the resources and support they need to navigate the complexities of disclosure. Creating a culture that values survivors' voices, believes their stories, and prioritizes their healing as we do here at Sexual Assault Survivor Stories is crucial in addressing the pervasive issue of sexual violence and the rape culture that exists in our society.
Hopefully this episode helps some of you who are victims or survivors of rape or sexual assault and are struggling with the decision of whether to disclose your experience (to anyone!) or not. I hope you find some answers in listening to this episode!
It would be great to hear your thoughts and input on this subject…and whether you found this episode informative and helpful. Please rate this episode and leave me your comments! Your input is appreciated!
Please remember to do your part to help bring justice to victims and survivors of rape and sexual assault; the best way for you to do that is to Start By Believing. Because, we all know someone whose life has been affected by rape or sexual assault.
In addition, here are some links you might find informative, helpful, and resourceful. Please learn about these people and organizations and support them financially if at all possible. They are there for you!
https://thejanbrobergfoundation.org
https://unspokenboundaries.com
https://createpeacefulsolutions.com
Instagram: @coopscw
Instagram: @plcnowhere