Sexual Assault Survivor Stories

It's been 7 years since producing a podcast was first suggested to Dave as a platform for getting the nuances of the neuroscience of trauma and memory, and the foundations and principles of trauma-informed interviewing out to victims and survivors of rape and sexual assault. But, finally, the time has arrived. Phrases like "psychophysiological evidence," "trauma memory," "rape culture," and "perpetrator mentality" were relatively new to sexual assault investigators back then, and even now the level of sexual assault and rape investigation education leaves much to be desired, based on frequent comments from victims and survivors of sex crimes about the way their reports of rape and sexual assault are handled. Things are starting to change...not nearly fast enough, but changes are coming. SASS is part of a growing trend in this country to be taruma-informed and victim and survivor sensative. We all need to do our part to reduce the prevalence of rape and sexual assault...because we all know someone who's life has been affected by rape or sexual assault.

The out-of-this-world story of childhood kidnapping and sexual assault at the hands of a close family friend is finally being told in a way that Jan and her family members are happy with and support...in the form of a nine-part mini-series on Peacock TV. But that's not all...The Jan Broberg Story is a newly published book, co-written by Jan and her mother, Mary Ann Broberg. It's available through Amazon and on Audible, narrated by Jan herself. Both the book and the television mini-series were released just days apart in early October, and Jan's own podcast, The Jan Broberg Show, launched on September 6, 2022. All of this is part of an amazing survival story from Jan's double kidnapping at ages 12 and 14, and multiple sexual assault incidents that even she kept secret out of fear of retaliation from aliens she had been convinced were real, and had put her on earth to perform a mission of saving the alien's dying planet, a diabolical story concieved in the mind of her manipulative, pathological perpetrator, "B." In this episode I had the true honor of sitting with Jan and talking with her in a trauma-informed manner, to hear in her own words, a version of this story she was even surprised to hear. You can learn more about Jan and her spell-binding story in the book Trailer for A Friend of the Family:

This interview was a pleasure and an honor...and one which I had been looking forward to for a long time. And I wasn't disappointed; Joanne started at the beginning of her law enforcement career as a patrol officer in the San Diego Police Department, and progressed to where she is today as Executive Director of the End Violence Against Women-International, non-profit organization for law enforcement training. She shares many stories of trials and struggles throughout her years as a police officer, as well as the joys and triumphs she's had along the way. She also talks about the challenges that she and her staff and Board of Directors have in keeping the organization running in these financially lean times, with an eye on how things are still growing and flourishing. You'll agree with me, I'm sure, that Joanne is an inspirational and heroic leader and visionary, and like me, you won't be disappointed in listening to this interview. You can learn more about EVAWI at: Find out about the 2023 International Conference to be held in Chicago, IL, April 11-13, 2023 Donate to EVAWI! Become a supporter!--Start by Believing global  campaign

One of the most extraordinary stories of rape and interpersonal violence survival that I've heard in my career came from a chance encounter with a YouTube video. Court Carmody posted a poignant, yet brave, video several years ago, that I just happened to run across while doing some podcast research. Back when she posted the video, she was an active YouTuber and influencer who felt a sense of responsibility to her followers to tell her story of rape, and the subsequent questions of responsibility and shame that the rape evoked. But she also encouraged others who might see the video, and may have been through a similar abusive relationship to seek help, and not stay quiet about it. I was simultaneously intrigued and impressed by Court and her story, so I reached out to her to see if she would be willing to tell her story, and more, again for my podcast audience...she responded almost immediately with an emphatic "YES!" And it turns out that Court had been raped twice, both times by someone that she, initially, believed loved her, but who turned out to be people who saw her as nothing other than a "thing." Court's bravery and willingness to tell her story, in gripping, and sometimes harrowing detail, is also a story of victory and triumph...she's now in a loving and caring relationship, married to a man who is constantly there for her with empowering support. Today Court is on a path toward a doctorate degree, and during the interview, made a stunning and happy discovery of survival and growth. This story is also one of insight and instruction for law enforcement and criminal justice professionals on several levels. Make sure you share this episode with LOTS of people...including police, prosecutors, victim advocates, parents, friends, and colleagues....everyone needs to hear Court's powerful story!

As the co-host of The Jan Broberg Show podcast, I had the opportunity to interview her for her show; she, in turn, asked if she could interview me. I couldn't say no to my friend and colleague!...actually, it was an easy, "Yes!" So, although it has "aired" on Jan's podcast, I wanted to give my listeners the opportunity to learn a little be more about me and my career. So, here, for your enjoyment (hopefully!) and a bit more enlightenment about me, is my interview by Jan Broberg. I do trauma-informed interview training, victim impact training on the neuroscience of trauma and memory, and other interpersonal violence, multi-disciplinary trainings for investigators, prosecutors, victim advocacy, medical and mental health professionals, human resources, and military and corporate leadership, all over the country. Call me for availability. Learn even more:

Being a Highly Qualified Expert for the Criminal Investigations Division of the US Army was a great honor and a professional highlight for me. And it afforded me the opportunity of meeting some phenomenal people, some of whom became close friends; one of those is COL Tim Cocanaugher, Ret. Tim was an attorney in the JAG Corps, as well as one of the top investigators of the Army National Guard, Office of Complex Investigations (OCI)—created to investigate reports of rape and sexual assault within the ranks of the National Guard. Tim agreed to be interviewed for SASS, so that he and I could discuss his experiences as both a prosecutor and an investigator (OCI). There are several learning points for my listeners this week, that can have a positive impact on my audience of sex crime prosecutors, criminal and civil investigators, as well as for lay-persons who will have the opportunity to gain insight into how important it is to understand various aspects of investigating and prosecuting sex crimes. Things to listen for: The impact of being trauma-informed, from a prosecutor’s perspective. How not interrupting the victim/survivor of a sexual assault or rape during an investigative interview can have a great impact on the victim and the investigation itself. The importance of an empathetic approach in investigating sexual assault/rape. The cathartic effect on victims/survivors by empathic, trauma-informed investigators and prosecutors. I appreciate the time that Tim took to be my guest, and to share his experiences and insights with us. Keep in mind that Tim and I are available for a two-day, trauma-informed investigation and interview training course. Contact me for further information.

This is PART 1 of a four-part series; an interview of Mac McDonald. Mac McDonald was one of four people who, many years ago, brought up the idea of me producing a podcast to help educate and inform victims and survivors of sexual assault and rape, on trauma-informed interview principles, as well as the neuroscience of trauma and memory. It is with a thankful and proud heart that I am able to present this week’s episode—an interview of Mac. Mac has held true to their promise to be a guest on this show, and for that, I am eternally grateful. Mac’s story is one of coercion, fear, and manipulation; their trauma still haunts and interferes in Mac's life. But Mac is strong and feels that if even one person is impacted positively by their story, they have done some good with their traumatic and hurtful experience. Mac’s heart is tender, yet strong. And they talk about the pain they endured for years at the hands of a poorly informed Title IX coordinator, as well as administrators at the college where their rape occurred. They have a message for that Title IX coordinator and the college administrators that resonates for everyone involved in Title IX investigations of rape and sexual assault: be empathic, and start by believing. Stop blaming victims. Start investigating predators and perpetrators. Mac wants to help bring justice to victims of rape and sexual assault, and I am grateful that I can help in that goal! The interviews of the other three panelists who suggested I start Sexual Assault Survivor Stories will be posted in the following weeks…this is a series you won’t want to miss. Please pass on the word, that SASS exists to help bring justice to victims or rape and sexual assault. Tell everyone you know to listen to this podcast; because we all know someone whose life has been affected by rape or sexual assault. And remember: Start by Believing!

This is PART 2 of a four-part series; an interview of Jennifer Jones. Continuing in this series, this interview of Jennifer is an emphasis of why this podcast is so important. Refer to the notes of Episode 7 to get the back-story of how this interview came to be…and this podcast for that matter! Jennifer is one of the four people who convinced me that this podcast needs to exist…albeit a long time in coming, as Jennifer so blatantly points out (but all in good fun!) This interview is an example of many of the principles and techniques used in conducting a trauma-informed interview. Listen for the sensory questions, and how they’re asked…and then pay close attention to the detail that can be accessed by asking the right questions, in the right ways. There are some examples, also, of using explicit memory to bring about activation of implicit memory (i.e.the details of the blanket Jennifer talks about). This interview brought out much emotion, but only so much as Jennifer allowed herself to bring to the surface…Jennifer is in control of the interview. A critical aspect of this interview, and the catalyst to the amount of information Jennifer was willing to share, rests on empathy. It’s always important to remember that empathy is the key to initiating the interview, as well as maintaining the relationship throughout. I want to thank Jennifer again, here, in this brief narrative. Her strength, bravery, and endurance are commendable, and I want everyone to know how grateful I am to Jennifer for her willingness to tell us about her horrific experience. But there is also much to acknowledge in her survivorship: Jennifer is the Assistant Director of the Shaw Wellness Institute, a "centralized location for health and wellness resources"* at Colgate University; she is in a loving, supportive relationship with her partner, and they are both involved in providing a loving, safe, and cuddly environment for their three foster children. And those are just a few highlights of how impressive Jennifer is with regard to being a strong, enduring survivor. There are two more interviews being posted over the next two weeks…don’t miss out on this amazing series of powerful and impactful survivors. Please pass on the word to your circle of influence that SASS exists to help bring justice to victims or rape and sexual assault. Tell everyone you know to listen to this podcast—because we all know someone whose life has been affected by rape or sexual assault. And remember: Start by Believing! *Shaw Wellness Institute, Colgate University, website, 2022.

This is PART 3 of a four-part series; an interview of Ellie Freeman. Ellie is one of the 4 people who participated on a panel several years ago at Hamilton University, to tell a multi-disciplinary audience about their rape stories. After the panel discussion, the four panelists approached me about the presentation I had done that morning, and stressed how important it was that I start a podcast to get the word out of what it means to be trauma-informed; both from the victim/survivor side, and the law enforcement side. I am forever grateful to Mac McDonald, Jennifer Jones, Ellie Freeman, and Samantha McCoy. Ellie's story is told in a quietly powerful way. Ellie is brave enough to talk about how the horrendous act of rape is exacerbated in the instance of someone having sexual contact with another person, when that situation is facilitated  by drugging the victim. The rape brings on profound feelings of guilt and self-blame…such is the case with Ellie. The level of pain is impossible to explain. Freezing is a common reaction when this level of pain is experienced. But Ellie pushed on when most wouldn’t. She found that telling others about her experience was therapeutic. She found that helping others with their pain, is what helps her deal with her own. Ellie’s is a story of perseverance and healing; of growing through the pain and thriving. Ellie is an amazing example of being a survivor. It is an honor to have her as a guest on this podcast, and it is an honor to call her a friend. Take this episode to heart, and really pay attention to the level of sincerity and honest empathy that Ellie experiences both with herself, and with other survivors. Then share this episode with all your friends, loved-ones, colleagues, and even acquaintances; because we all know someone whose life has been affected by rape or sexual assault. Let’s all do our part to help bring justice to victims and survivors. And remember to Start by Believing. Please subscribe to this podcast and rate each episode you listen to. Growing the audience of this podcast is key to helping bring justice to victims and survivors. Thank you for listening.

This is PART 4, the final episode of a four-part series; an interview of Samantha McCoy. Talking to hundreds of people in an podcast interview, about something as deeply personal and hurtful as the trauma of rape, takes a tremendous amount of strength and courage; two things that all four of the guests in this series have demonstrated in an amazing, meaningful, and helpful way. And Samantha’s story of rape and recovery is as powerful as the previous three stories you’ve heard during this series. During my interview with her, Samantha tells about the shock and terror of waking up from a drug induced state of unconsciousness, to finding out that not only was she raped by someone who she cared for and was close to, but also that the perpetrator video recorded the rape…and digitally distributed it to many of her close friends and colleagues. And to add insult to injury, this perpetrator was a police officer! Samantha’s story reflects the many aspects of trauma that most victims of rape experience…fear, confusion, anger, frustration, shame, embarrassment…all of which are compounded by the physiological symptoms that accompany any severe physical and mental trauma: repeated nightmares, intrusive memories, physical symptoms of emotional breakdown, sensory activators of trauma such as sights, sounds, body positions, and somatic pain; all common responses and reactions to trauma. The way Samantha tells her story is emotionally gripping. And hearing about the way she was treated by law enforcement after reporting her rape is equally gripping…and aggravating: no one deserves to go through what Samantha went through when she reported her rape. Yet, through it all, Samantha found a channel for recovery and surviving…and uses that channel to help hundreds of thousands of other victims and survivors. Listen to her story of becoming a lawyer in direct response to being raped; and learn of what she’s done: Samantha McCoy is an attorney and activist fighting for legislative change in our legal system addressing responses to survivors of violence. First in her many achievements, Samantha was instrumental in passing Indiana’s Senate Bill 146 in March of 2020, ensuring rights of survivors of sexual violence, including the right to have a confidential advocate with you during law enforcement questioning and at the emergency room as well as more trauma-informed responses when a survivor discloses abuse. Samantha additionally testified during Indiana’s 2020 Summer Legislative Study Committee advocating for an expansion and clarification on the definition of “consent” in the Indiana criminal statute. Samantha went on to successfully lobby for Texas HB 2706 in June of 2021, similarly ensuring trauma-informed approaches and an expansion of rights for survivors of sexual violence. Samantha further successfully lobbied for Connecticut HB 5278 in May of 2022, ensuring explicit consent is obtained prior to the performance of intimate examinations by medical students and other medical professionals. In July of 2022, Samantha testified at the United Nations Headquarters advocating for the passage of the first-ever standalone United Nations Resolution addressing and ensuring rights for all survivors of sexual violence. This Resolution passed in September of 2022, making history. In recognition of this work, Samantha was the recipient of the 2022 Purple Ribbon Outstanding Legislative Partner Award by DomesticShelters. Samantha is working on further changes for survivors in the upcoming 2023 state and federal legislative sessions. This isn’t the end of the stories of my four amazing guests: the influence and impact of their stories carries on in all that they are accomplishing in their personal and professional lives. And who knows…you may have the thrill of listening to all of them in one collective round-table on this podcast! It’s something I am working on bringing to you in a future episode! Share Samantha’s amazing episode with your family, friends, and colleagues. Please subscribe to this podcast and rate each episode you listen to. Growing the audience of this podcast is key to helping bring justice to victims and survivors; we all should do our part to doing just that, and subscribing to this podcast, whether you listen to all the episodes or not, is helpful and greatly appreciated; because we all know someone whose life has been affected by rape or sexual assault. And remember to Start by Believing.  markel-consulting.com

It was in the Fall of 2016 that I first received an email from Haley Murphy, then the Campus Sexual Assault Liaison of the Crime Victim Assistance Center, Inc., located in Binghamton, NY.  Haley was writing to let me know that I had been recommended to her to provide training on the neuroscience of trauma in sexual assault and interpersonal violence assault, as well as principles on trauma-informed interviewing and investigations, to a multi-disciplinary audience that CVAC, Inc., and the New York State Police were co-sponsoring. That was the beginning of what continues to be an extremely productive business relationship and friendship between Haley and me; I was hired to do the presentation which occurred in July of 2017, and it was there that I had the privilege of meeting the four panelists that presented after my training (see the previous four episodes’ notes for those details). In 2020, when I made early attempts at getting the ball rolling for launching this podcast, I asked Haley if she would be a guest on my show, and she willingly agreed. It was a pleasure to get to know Haley better during that interview, and moreover, to hear how passionate she was about providing trauma-informed interviewing training to the nearly 200 law enforcement, victim advocates, mental health providers, social workers and Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners that had attended the training that the CVAC and NYSP had provided. I was impressed with her enthusiasm and zealous attitude…you will be, too; it comes across in the interview. Even though this interview occurred over 2 years ago, it is still as pertinent, valid, and important today as it was then; you’ll understand what I mean when you hear this interview—Haley and I discussed her background, education, and work history. But we also had a very interesting and educational discussion about common sexual trauma responses, victim impact, and her work to provide healing and recovery to her clients, at the same time she is growing in her own survival story. This is an episode you’re going to not want to miss! In preparing to post this episode, I called Haley today to let her know that I was going to post it…she was very excited at the news. Even more exciting was her response when I asked if she would do a follow-up interview with me for the podcast in a few weeks; she readily accepted the invitation, not only ready to talk more about the important subjects we plan to cover, but also eager to let everyone know of the changes that have occurred in her life…a promotion at work, and a surprise that I’ll let her tell you about when I post her follow-up interview! This is an episode you’ll want to share!...it’s too good to keep to yourself! Please don’t forget to rate the episode, and subscribe to SASS—whether you listen to all the episodes or not! And please, do your part to help bring justice to victims and survivors…because we all know someone whose life has been affected by rape or sexual assault. Start By Believing!

This is a busy time of the year, and I know many people are pre-occupied with celebrating, enjoying family and friends, and getting ready to ring-in the New Year. So maybe podcast listening isn’t a top priority on your to-do list. Yet, I didn’t want to close out the last week of the first year of my podcast with a repeat episode, or no episode at all; so, I went out on a limb and made a quick phone call to ask Arci Grey, a fellow-podcaster and soon-to-be guest on my show, if she would be willing to spend just a few minutes with me today to so that I could introduce you to her, and to talk about what’s coming in her full, soon-to-be-posted episode...she didn't hesitate in agreeing to talking with me! I don’t want to be a spoiler here in these notes, so I’ll let you just get right to the listening of this short interview with Arci. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Seasons Greetings to all of you. Thank you so very much for listening to the launch-year of Sexual Assault Survivor Stories – SASS – I hope we can continue to engage, support, teach, and celebrate survivorship with each other for many years to come! Remember to Start By Believing, and to do your part to help bring justice to victims and survivors of sexual violence…because we all know someone whose life has been affected by rape or sexual assault.

A Sexual Assault Survivor Stories Montage of 2022--HAPPY NEW YEAR!! Being resilient…Surviving…Thriving…Coping…Healing….This week’s episode is a montage of all of the SASS interviews that have aired since I started my podcast just two months ago; eleven guest episodes that have included some difficult-to-hear stories of rape and sexual assault, but that have also shown that surviving and healing is not only possible, but well within the grasp of victims. And, some stories of best-practices, and how important it is to Start By Believing, and how being trauma-informed and treating victims with respect by not blaming them, is the way that victims and survivors open-up, and further their healing process by talking…freely and fully. Here’s the clips that you’ll hear: Jan Broberg Joanne Archambault Court Carmody Dave Markel Tim Cocanaugher Mac McDonald Jennifer Jones Ellie Freeman Samantha McCoy Haley Murphy Arci Grey It has been a pleasure having you, my listeners, join me each week—I have truly enjoyed hosting my first two months of this podcast, and look forward to many, many more episodes with guests ranging from experts and treatment providers to more survivors telling their stories of healing and thriving. 2023 is going to be an amazing, insightful, educational, and uplifting year of Sexual Assault Survivor Stories. In fact, next week’s episode is one you will certainly want to hear…I will be featuring two amazing experts that have a tremendous amount of experience in a multitude of areas: Nicole Florisi and Von Kliem. It will be well worth your time to listen to Episode 14, available on January 10th! Until then, please enjoy this 2022 recap…I’ve chosen what I believe are some extremely powerful and interesting clips for you to listen to…whether you’ve heard them already, or just listening for the first time to Sexual Assault Survivor Stories. Please tell everyone you know about this podcast and encourage them to listen, keeping in mind that listening to, and sharing these episodes may be just the thing that you, a friend, or a family member needs to hear today. Because we all know someone who has been raped or sexually assaulted. And please remember to Start By Believing.

Episode 14 – Part 1 of a Two-part Interview of Nicole Florisi and Von Kliem. I’ve mentioned before that while I was working and training for the US Army Criminal Investigation Command (CID), stationed at Ft Leonard Wood, I had the pleasure and honor of meeting and working with many outstanding colleagues and Soldiers…one of the people who made a big impact on my journey and work with the Army was Von Kliem. Von was an attorney in the JAG Corp, and became one of our instructors in the Special Victims Unit Investigation Course, which I co-managed. I think I connected so closely with Von because he had been a police officer in his civilian life, as well as keeping his certification as a reserve police officer in Kansas. In his Army life, Von was an attorney who applied his law enforcement knowledge and expertise to his handling of cases, including rape and sexual assault cases. He was also involved in training and instructing, and when we heard about Von’s expertise and experience, it was plain to see that we needed to implement him into our SVUIC, two-week training course. He was an immediate and strong addition to the team. Fast forward to today…Von is now in the civilian sector at Force Science, a private company which “advances expert decision-making, superior performance, and honest accountability in public safety,”* as the Director of the Consulting Division, Executive Editor, and as a Staff Instructor. He continues to be my colleague and friend, and I am honored that he agreed to be a guest on this show. Von brings with him another well-known expert, and now a new friend and colleague, Nicole Florisi. Nicole is also a former law enforcement officer, who is now working as an instructor and consultant for VirTra, a law enforcement and military simulator training company. “Nicole has a Master of Science Professional Counseling with her post-master work in trauma counseling and human factors psychology. She has a Bachelor of Science in Public Safety Administration and Emergency Management. Her work as a therapist has an emphasis in crisis and trauma with an added focus in training other therapists on working with the first responder community.”* She is also an expert in presenting and instructing with Force Science, and it is a privilege to have her on this show. Please share this episode with everyone you know, and don’t forget to subscribe to Sexual Assault Survivor Stories – the SASS Podcast; even if you don’t listen to every episode. Your subscription helps the podcast grow, which is important because it helps in doing your part to bringing justice to victims and survivors of rape and sexual assault…because we all know someone whose life has been affected by rape or sexual assault. And remember to Start by Believing. * https://www.forcescience.com

Episode 15 – Part 2 of a Two-part Interview of Nicole Florisi and Von Kliem. The honor continues…this is Part 2 of my interview of my amazing guests, Nicole Florisi and Von Kliem. Take a look at last week’s episode notes for a re-cap of these two guests, and then listen in to their informative and insightful interview; I think you’ll find it well worth your time. Please share this episode with everyone you know, and don’t forget to subscribe to Sexual Assault Survivor Stories – the SASS Podcast, even if you don’t listen to every episode. Your subscription helps the podcast grow, which is important because it helps in doing your part to bringing justice to victims and survivors of rape and sexual assault…because we all know someone whose life has been affected by rape or sexual assault. And remember to Start by Believing.

Episode 16 – Part 1: Interview of Arci Grey Listener discretion advised. When Arci went to the home of her ex-boyfriend late one night, she thought it was to re-new a business relationship with his father, a real estate investor from another country. But it didn’t take long to realize that the phone call that was supposed to happen with the investor, wasn’t really going to happen. And that her ex-boyfriend had lured her to his apartment for no other reason than to torment and torture her…literally. He wouldn’t let her leave. And it got worse from there. Much worse. This is the true story of Arci Grey’s kidnap, torture, rape, and near-murder. The fact that Arci survived is almost beyond belief. But survive she did. And she has become the epitome of survival…she has become a Survivor Success Coach, and she is helping other survivors realize their growing, never-stagnant, potential. You will be inspired by Arci’s story of tragedy to triumph. But this is only the beginning. Next week is Part 2 of this powerful, awesome story. Be sure to listen in. And, plans are being made to have Arci come back so that she and I can delve into the neuroscience of trauma, so keep an eye out for more to come. Please share this story…and don’t forget, also, to rate and subscribe to this podcast: Sexual Assault Survivor Stories, the SASS podcast. Equally important: do your part to help bring justice to victims and survivors of rape and sexual assault; and, to Start by Believing; because, we all know someone whose life has been affected by rape or sexual assault.

Episode 17 – Part 2  of Interview of Arci Grey Shocking her perpetrator into a different mindset…compelling him to call 911…wasn’t the end of the trauma that Arci Grey experienced. There was the shock of what was happening to her in the hospital, the response of close friends, the realization of what it means to change a career and a lifestyle, including the loss of key clients in her business. Then there was the surprisingly, shocking realization that a new career would fulfil her new desire to make something positive come out of all the negative that she had experienced, starting with reaching out to others by sharing her traumatic, near-death experience. This episode is another power-packed discussion that you will be glad you listened to…in keeping with the goal of helping to bring survivor stories that continue to bring justice to victims and survivors of rape and sexual assault. As usual, I encourage my listeners to leave a comment that expresses your thoughts and impressions of how Arci’s story has impacted your perspective and life. And please share this episode, and the SASS podcast, with everyone you know…it helps the podcast grow and opens further opportunities for how the podcast grows. I don’t take your loyalty to this show lightly…thank you for listening. Finally, I want to extend my heart-felt gratitude to Arci Grey for giving of her valuable time to be on my show, and especially for her courage, openness, and sincerity in not only sharing her story, but also in her goal of bringing justice to victims and survivors of rape and sexual assault. Please always remember to Start By Believing, because we all know someone whose life has been affected by rape or sexual assault.

Still Bringing The Good… Revisiting Haley Roma Episode 18 You may remember my interview with Haley Murphey last December…if not, be sure to go back and listen to Episode 11! Well, Haley has since gotten married, and is now Haley Roma. And that’s not all that’s changed…she’s also gotten a promotion at the Crime Victims Assistance Center in Binghamton, New York. Haley continues to excel, but now in her new admin position of Assistant Director of Education and Training. I won’t give away all the great information that Haley shared, here in these notes; you’ll have to listen to the episode to get the fantastic updates and information that Haley gives us. But I will let you know that Haley wants to hear from you, about how she and the CVAC can better serve victims and survivors of rape, sexual assault, and interpersonal violence. Haley is fantastic at what she does, but realizes that there’s always room for improvement. And she wants to hear from you if you have some creative and constructive ideas on ways that she and the Center can accomplish that. Her email address is: Please share this episode with everyone you know, and don’t forget to subscribe to Sexual Assault Survivor Stories – the SASS Podcast, even if you don’t listen to every episode. Your subscription helps the podcast grow, which is important because it helps in doing your part to bringing justice to victims and survivors of rape and sexual assault…because we all know someone whose life has been affected by rape or sexual assault. And remember to Start by Believing.

Episode 19 – More Than a Survivor Story: The Incredible Journey of Caroline Markel Hammond *WARNING: This episode is not for children. Please use care and discretion while listening to this episode. For some podcast hosts, maybe, the idea of having a guest as well-known, influential, and celebrity as Caroline Markel Hammond agreeing to be on the show might be an overwhelming and surreal experience. I’m not going to lie…for me, it was! BUT, there was more to it than that, from my host perspective--I had sought to have Caroline be a guest because of her efforts and successes in helping to bring justice to victims and survivors of domestic violence, rape, and sexual assault. I wanted you, my listeners, to have the opportunity of hearing from someone who had survived, and thrived, from being drugged and sexually trafficked for years by her intimate partner, unbeknownst to her, and then escaped and recovered from that abuse. I was thrilled and honored when Caroline agreed to be on the show. Here is more about Caroline: Caroline Markel Hammond is a , and  on the list of from Women Leaders Magazine. She has spent 30 years as a results-driven Sales and Training Professional promoting billion-dollar brands for Fortune 500 companies; thriving within sales,  human resources, training and development.  Caroline is the CEO and Founder of , a Kansas City based nonprofit and an online secure resource for people navigating the sadness, worries, lies, screaming, fear and pain of domestic violence. Premiering in Times Square, and spreading across the country, Caroline and team launched two unique campaigns for diversified communities related to domestic violence, achieving over one billion impressions and opportunities for immediate and actionable help. As CEO and Founder of , Caroline and her team create tailor-made solutions for employers within diversity, equity and inclusion criteria related to profit, safety, retention, reward and recruitment.   As a survivor of domestic violence, plus , Caroline uses storytelling to evoke change and has been featured on Oprah, Forbes, PBS, NPR, Ms. Magazine, M+MMagazine, national and regional television, and podcasts as an initiator to disrupt complacency within the domestic violence arena and overcoming adversity. It is an honor and privilege for me to have her as a guest on Sexual Assault Survivor Stories. Please listen. Because if Caroline says it, it’s worth listening to. She is helping to bring justice to victims and survivors of rape, sexual assault, and domestic violence. And she Start[s] by Believing. And encourages others to do the same. Because she, like me, knows that we all know someone whose life has been affected by rape, sexual assault, and/or domestic violence. You can reach Caroline at: Other links regarding content from Episode 19 of SASS are:

She’s Baaack!!: Arci Grey on the Trauma-Informed Neuroscience of the Brain, Mind, and Body Episode 20 Arci Grey is back for her third episode with me…and I couldn’t be happier with the outcome. You’re in for a powerful, information-packed episode that will provide you with answers to your multiple questions about why you think and feel the way you do after the trauma of a rape or sexual assault. But, hey!, this episode isn’t just for victims and survivors…it’s for law enforcement, prosecutors, mental health providers, victim advocates, health professionals…actually, the information in this episode is for everyone. Because it gives you insight and perspective on how trauma affects your brain, your mind (yes, that’s something other than your brain!), and your body; trauma affects it all. And aren’t you ready for some clear, plain-talk answers to your questions? This episode is for you. A huge thank-you to Arci for giving of her time and energy (she’s got TONS of it!) to being with me on this episode. She wanted me to make sure you are all aware that her new book “Rule No. 1: No Dying,” comes out next month, but that it’s easy to pre-order your copy now through her website: arcigrey.com Thank you for listening to Sexual Assault Survivor Stories—the SASS podcast. Please tell all your friends and family about this podcast. And please subscribe, even if you don’t listen to every episode; your support means the world to me. Also, please remember to do your part to bring justice to victims and survivors of rape and sexual assault; the best way to do this is to Start by Believing; because we all know someone whose life has been affected by rape or sexual assault.