Moving away from merely existing and toward truly living means that we start to address the trauma caused by the predator(s) and the sexual violence they committed against us.

Don’t ever think that any of us are too small or weak or unknown to create meaningful societal change. We can start in our own daily lives.

Unfortunately, we’re not educated on the possible harms done to the pelvic floor and medical professionals only go by what they can see [and prove] - not assessing for possibility of unseen damage.

Instead of focusing on mourning, we could celebrate surviving another year. This could look like having cake with candles…

Understanding how predators are created does not excuse their actions, but it does provide insight into prevention.

It’s natural to believe “my child would never do that.” But ignoring the possibility is dangerous. Every predator was is someone’s child.

Unsafe people are everywhere, not just lurking in dark corners or fitting some obvious "stranger danger" physical stereotype. In fact, the most dangerous individuals often present themselves as friendly, charming, and deeply empathetic.

Because the burden of proof rests entirely on the state, “innocent until proven guilty” creates a maze of roadblocks and loopholes that allow predators to reoffend again and again. And, this has to stop.

Accepting trauma without traditional justice doesn’t mean forgetting or condoning what was done to us. Instead, it means finding peace where possible and creating meaning despite pain.

Whether you are a survivor or an ally, working together to create safe, informed, and compassionate communities can transform survivorship from a fight for survival into a journey of empowerment and hope.

When we were met with compassion and understanding, our healing felt possible. When we weren’t believed, the hurt was devastating, creating shadows of shame and isolation we had to work hard to shake. But let’s remind ourselves: other people’s reactions do not define the truth of our experiences.

Explore how trauma caused sexual assault or abuse can affect work life. In this week's GOTU blog post we dive into how support, self-care, and community help survivors improve wellness, reclaim confidence, and thrive. None of us is alone in this battle. And getting better while working is possible, one step at a time.

Experience trauma can cause issues with our digestive tracks. Digesting foods and beverages can be difficult and the wrong foods can make us sick. In this week’s blog, we’re sharing how to potentially ease this difficulty.

The brutal truth is that the world doesn’t stop for survivors. We’re expected to continue to be “socially acceptable” while trying to function despite the trauma. In this week’s blog, we’re sharing helpful ways to feel safe engaging with our bodies and maintain good hygiene.

Being able to function, practice self care, and sustain puts us ‘back on our feet’. And, it can help set the foundation for us to eventually become well enough to successfully engage in society.

Although somatic flashbacks can make us feel hopeless about the present and future, there is a way for us to get control of them. It is possible for us to regain control of our lives and happiness.

Silence allows for the false beliefs about sexual violence to persist. It also leaves the door open for people to be victimized and not receive the proper care or support. It’s time we move away from silence.

We’re not crazy. We’re not making anything up. We’re not helpless. We’re managing trauma.