Sexual Assault Survivor Stories Dave Markel

Activation and discretion warning: this episode contains explicit and graphic descriptions of sexual assault and suicidal ideation. Caution and action are required. This episode is not for children. Please use extreme discretion in listening to this episode and if you are activated or triggered and need help, call the national sexual assault telephone hotline at  1-800.656.hope; that’s 1-800-656-4673. Or if you need help with suicidal ideation, call the National Suicide Holine at 9-8-8. In last week’s episode, Lee Cooper began his story of childhood sexual assault by telling us how it was affecting him as an adult. This week, he continues with those impacts and talks about how he managed to survive the scary and powerful suicidal ideation that permeated his life. This is the continuing story of struggle and devastation that Lee’s assault had on him and the daily aspects of trying to survive; the assault when he was 10-12 years of age impacts him still. Lee describes in detail how he has managed to navigate all the horrific and painful aspects of his healing journey. One of the most healing aspects of Lee’s tragic childhood and adulthood has been his study of photography and his growing photography business.  His picture taking is a particularly strong aspect of his healing. It takes him to glamorous, interesting, and challenging locations all over the world, provides him with new and fascinating friends, amazing photography targets, and the potential of financial opportunity. And his picture-taking abilities are exquisite. So much so in fact, that he has been invited to display his work at a prestigious, solo, three-month exhibit starting on December 9th of this year, and going through March 9th of 2024.  The Oldham Gallery will feature Lee’s work. In a recent publication, the gallery boasted of Lee’s work this way: Oldham-born Lee Cooper has travelled the world capturing the mundane snippets of life in all their glory and wonder, through his photography. From Blackpool to Las Vegas, his work focuses on the moments of existential loneliness in the humdrum moments of life in a societal system that appears to be crumbling away. If you’re anywhere near Oldham, England Dec. 9th thru March 9th, make the well-worth-it effort to go see Lee’s exhibit. Thank you for tuning in to Part 2 of Lee’s story. It’s the inspirational conclusion to this powerful, meaningful expression of Lee’s ability to overcome the horrors he endured. Until then, please remember to “like,” rate, and subscribe to Sexual Assault Survivor Stories. It will contribute to you doing your part to help bring justice to victims and survivors of rape and sexual assault. You can also do this when you Start By Believing, because we all know someone whose life has been affected by rape or sexual assault.   Please visit these links: Instagram: @coopscw Instagram: @plcnowhere #thrivivors #thejanbrobergfoundation #janbroberg #safeinharmsway #epizonstrategy #intentionallyfearless #thelastimsorry #feelingsmall #sasspodcast #retiredcop #traumainformed #traumainformedexpert #sexassaultvictim #survivorsunite #rapevictim #retireddetective #sexualassaultsurvivorstories #podcast #markelconsulting #jessicapridelawfirm #gettraumainformed#safeinharmsway #projectbeloved #saan #irishangel #crimevictimsassistancecenter #coloradoassociationofsexcrimeinvestigators #girlsfightback #outdoordefense #worthfightingfor #thejanbrobergshow #thrivivors #thejanbrobergfoundation #sassyselfdefenseguide #ericbarreras #badassselfdefense #imworthfightingfor #vawa #baylor #ashforduniversity #uofaglobalcampus #psychologymajor #amandacoleman #remembermolly #fightrapeculture #forcescience

It’s never easy to talk about a child being sexually assaulted by another family member, a family member who is an older brother, who knows better, who manipulates, strangles, and holds down his younger sister is even more atrocious. No one wants to talk about that. But talking about is what we need to do to help put an end to this wreckage. Ruthie Uhl is willing to tell her perspective. With her now-teenaged-daughters permission, Ruthie describes what this horrific experience did to their family. She tells it without pulling any punches. She describes the complex devastation and desolation that almost caused her daughter to kill herself. And she tells how she and her daughter pulled together to make new lives for themselves out of the wreckage. As you listen to Ruthie’s narrative, you'll be struck by her incredible strength and fortitude in facing this harrowing experience. Her story serves as a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Furthermore, it emphasizes the importance of understanding the prevalence of such devastating situations in our society. Join me in gaining insights from Ruthie’s journey, and let her compelling narrative be a call to action through increased awareness surrounding familial sexual assault. Here are some important websites and organizations to make yourself aware of, and to financially support, if you’re at all able to; every little bit helps.  #thrivivors #thejanbrobergfoundation #janbroberg #safeinharmsway #epizonstrategy #intentionallyfearless #thelastimsorry #feelingsmall #sasspodcast #retiredcop #traumainformed #traumainformedexpert #sexassaultvictim #survivorsunite #rapevictim #sexualassaultsurvivorstories #podcast #markelconsulting #jessicapridelawfirm #gettraumainformed #safeinharmsway #projectbeloved #saan #irishangel #crimevictimsassistancecenter #coloradoassociationofsexcrimeinvestigators #girlsfightback #outdoordefense #worthfightingfor #thejanbrobergshow #thrivivors #thejanbrobergfoundation #sassyselfdefenseguide #badassselfdefense #imworthfightingfor #vawa #ashforduniversity #amandacoleman #remembermolly #fightrapeculture #forcescience

This episode is short but packed full of information. I wanted to clear up some confusion that has been brought to my attention regarding the differences between “rape,” and “sexual assault.” I won’t go into those differences here; you’ll have to listen to the episode to find out what those idiosyncrasies are. And the other topic of this short episode is what it truly means to Start By Believing, and why it’s so important. Both of these issues are topics that are central to the purpose of this podcast, so I wanted to clear up the confusion that exists in some people’s minds. Thanks for listening! Please subscribe to this podcast, and please share it with everyone you know. You’re helping the podcast grow when you do those things! Here are a few websites I hope you’ll check out, and a few hashtags that you might find interesting! #safeinharmsway #epizonstrategy #intentionallyfearless #thelastimsorry #feelingsmall #sasspodcast #retiredcop #traumainformed #traumainformedexpert #sexassaultvictim #evawi #endviolenceagainstwomeninternational #survivorsunite #rapevictim #retireddetective #sexualassaultsurvivorstories #podcast #markelconsulting #jessicapridelawfirm #gettraumainformed #safeinharmsway #projectbeloved #saan #irishangel #crimevictimsassistancecenter #coloradoassociationofsexcrimeinvestigators #girlsfightback #outdoordefense #worthfightingfor #thejanbrobergshow #thrivivors #thejanbrobergfoundation #thrivivors #sassyselfdefenseguide #ericbarreras #badassselfdefense #imworthfightingfor #vawa #baylor #ashforduniversity #uofaglobalcampus #psychologymajor #amandacoleman #remembermolly #fightrapeculture #forcescience

Just a quick announcement explaining why there’s not a full episode this week, and to express my gratitude to you, my listeners! Don’t forget to Start By Believing…because we all know someone whose life has been affected by rape or sexual assault. #thrivivors #thejanbrobergfoundation #janbroberg #safeinharmsway #epizonstrategy #intentionallyfearless #thelastimsorry #feelingsmall #sasspodcast #retiredcop #traumainformed #traumainformedexpert #sexassaultvictim #survivorsunite #rapevictim #sexualassaultsurvivorstories #podcast #markelconsulting #jessicapridelawfirm #gettraumainformed #safeinharmsway #projectbeloved #saan #irishangel #crimevictimsassistancecenter #coloradoassociationofsexcrimeinvestigators #girlsfightback #outdoordefense #worthfightingfor #thejanbrobergshow #thrivivors #thejanbrobergfoundation #sassyselfdefenseguide #badassselfdefense #imworthfightingfor #vawa #ashforduniversity #amandacoleman #remembermolly #fightrapeculture #forcescience

One of the most difficult components of the sexual assault/rape healing journey is mustering the courage and strength to tell someone else your story. It can be formidable. Daunting even. But many psychologists and sociologists agree that talking about ones own sexual assault or rape experience can help in processing one’s emotions, provide a community of survivors that support each other, and create a sense of accomplishment and self-encouragement that provides a strong foundation for ones healing journey. Through my own anecdotal experiences and education I’ve acquired through formal scholastic channels as well as through professional trainings, I’ve come to recognize that those victims and survivors of rape and/or sexual assault who choose to talk about a sexual assault or rape experience with someone who is empathic and supportive can lead to some very strong and beneficial outcomes, not the least of which include: 1.     Emotional Validation: Sharing the experience with a supportive person can validate the survivor's feelings and emotions, helping them feel understood and acknowledged. 2.     Reduced Isolation: Discussing the experience can alleviate feelings of isolation and loneliness that often accompany trauma, as the survivor realizes they're not alone and have support. 3.     Healing and Coping: Talking about the experience can be a step toward healing. It allows the survivor to begin processing their emotions, which can be a crucial part of coping and moving forward. “Moving forward”—this is where Ashleyann is: she’s struggling, but winning. And her winning is providing the ongoing platform she needs for that continued forward drive. Her decision to come on the Sexual Assault Survivor Stories Podcast was the result of months of self-reflection, weighing options, and much contemplation. Ultimately, Ashleyann decided to come on the show, and at the end of her episode experience, Ashleyann said, “I am always, forever going to be so grateful for this.” Ashleyann joins many, many other SASS family members who have expressed very similar sentiments. Don’t forget to Start By Believing…because we all know someone whose life has been affected by rape or sexual assault. #thrivivors #thejanbrobergfoundation #janbroberg #safeinharmsway #epizonstrategy #intentionallyfearless #thelastimsorry #feelingsmall #sasspodcast #retiredcop #traumainformed #traumainformedexpert #sexassaultvictim #survivorsunite #rapevictim #sexualassaultsurvivorstories #podcast #markelconsulting #jessicapridelawfirm #gettraumainformed #safeinharmsway #projectbeloved #saan #irishangel #crimevictimsassistancecenter #coloradoassociationofsexcrimeinvestigators #girlsfightback #outdoordefense #worthfightingfor #thejanbrobergshow #thrivivors #thejanbrobergfoundation #sassyselfdefenseguide #badassselfdefense #imworthfightingfor #vawa #ashforduniversity #amandacoleman #remembermolly #fightrapeculture #forcescience

It never ceases to amaze me…my podcast listeners that reach out to me with courage, strength, fortitude, and powerful resilience who are hoping to share their stories, not for glory or attention, but to help others who may find themselves in very similar circumstances with very similar experiences, in order to offer a sense of comradery and community, and to help others on their own healing journey: Yri is no less amazing! In Yri’s “Part 1” episode, Yri has courageously shared her harrowing experience as a victim of narcissistic manipulation and abuse at the hands of an athlete colleague who is on a men’s basketball team in the mutual league setting as her own women’s league. Initially, their relationship seemed promising, with shared interests in music and his genuine concern for Yri's struggles with self-harm. However, behind this facade of care and charm lay a sinister truth: her partner was a skilled narcissist who knew exactly how to expertly manipulate her emotions and perceptions. As their relationship progressed, Yri found herself ensnared in a web of manipulation and confusion. Her partner's conniving tactics slowly unveiled themselves, morphing the once-loving dynamic into a nightmare of emotional manipulation and verbal abuse. The initial care and concern became a guise for controlling behavior, leaving Yri feeling trapped and isolated. The depth of the abuse took a devastating turn when the relationship turned sexually abusive and demeaning. Yri recounts the horrifying ordeal of being raped by her partner while she slept, a cruel and violating act that shattered her sense of safety and trust. This traumatic experience marked only the beginning of a series of escalating abusive behaviors, leaving Yri grappling with the emotional aftermath and the daunting reality of what lay ahead. As Yri's story unfolds, you will be left on the edge of your seat awaiting next week’s episode that promises to delve deeper into the escalating horrors of her abusive relationship. You’ll hear Yri bravely continue to shed light on the escalating abuse and manipulative tactics employed by her narcissistic partner, revealing the unimaginable depths of suffering she endured from the traumatic fall-out. It's all so terribly sad, yet so terribly true. And despite how brutally honest Yri is in her telling of these horrific events and experiences, there are those who will dis-believe and blame Yri for the nightmarish acts of her rapist boyfriend. We all need to take a good, hard look at the circumstances that are shared in this raw and frightful story and learn what it means to “start by believing.” If you’re not sure what that really means, read the Start By Believing webpages of End Violence Against Women-International. ()  You’ll be doing your part to helping to bring justice to victims and survivors of rape and sexual assault. Which is critically important because we all know someone whose life has been impacted by rape or sexual assault. #thrivivors #thejanbrobergfoundation #janbroberg #safeinharmsway #epizonstrategy #intentionallyfearless #thelastimsorry #feelingsmall #sasspodcast #retiredcop #traumainformed #traumainformedexpert #sexassaultvictim #survivorsunite #rapevictim #sexualassaultsurvivorstories #podcast #markelconsulting #jessicapridelawfirm #gettraumainformed #safeinharmsway #projectbeloved #saan #irishangel #crimevictimsassistancecenter #coloradoassociationofsexcrimeinvestigators #girlsfightback #outdoordefense #worthfightingfor #thejanbrobergshow #thrivivors #thejanbrobergfoundation #sassyselfdefenseguide #badassselfdefense #imworthfightingfor #vawa #ashforduniversity #amandacoleman #remembermolly #fightrapeculture #forcescience