Call Your Advocate Karolina Strain

In today's podcast, host Karolina Strain interviews special guests Leah Green. Leah Green works at the Resource Sharing Project as a Rural Technical Assistance Specialist. Leah is a passionate advocate that works tirelessly to bring awareness and supportive services for adult victims of childhood sexual abuse. Leah and Karolina discuss the complex dynamics of childhood sexual abuse, how to best support survivors, warning signs, and the healing process. 

Disclaimer: To protect the privacy of our client's identifying characteristics, such as names, gender, age, have been altered.



Books Mentioned:

Trauma and Recovery: The Aftermath of Violence- from Domestic Abuse to Political Terror by Judith Herman, M.D.

Love with Accountability: Digging Up the Roots of Child Sexual Abuse Edited by Aishah Shahidah Simmons

I Never Told Anyone: Writings by Women Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse Edited by Ellen Bass and Louise Thornton

The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel Van Der Kolk, M.D.



Other great resources:

The Courage to Heal by Ellen Bass and Laura Davis

Allies in Healing: When the Person You Love was Sexually Abused as a Child by Laura Davis

The Sexual Healing Journey: A Guide for Survivors of Sexual Abuse by Wendy Maltz

The Survivor’s Guide to Sex: How to Have an Empowered Sex Life After Child Sexual Abuse by Staci Haines

Dear Sister: Letters from Survivors of Sexual Violence edited by Lisa Factora-Borchers

Victims No Longer: Men Recovering from Incest and Other Sexual Child Abuse by Mike Lew

Hollow Water by Bonnie Dickie (this is a POWERFUL documentary about how one Native community in Canada tackled child sexual abuse)

For today’s episode, host Karolina Strain interviews special guests Lisa Dillard and Walt Pierce. Lisa Dillard and Walt Pierce are facilitators at the Avalon Center for the Abuse Intervention for Men program and the Break the Cycle program. 

Walt and Lisa educate listeners on how they work with perpetrators of violence to stop the cycle of violence. They train perpetrators to challenge their belief systems on gender stereotypes, teach them the difference between unhealthy and healthy relationships, and take accountability for their actions.  

Disclaimer: To protect the privacy of our client's identifying characteristics, such as names, gender, age, have been altered.

Host Karolina Strain interviews special guest Sarah Cannon. Sarah is the director of training and outreach at the Avalon Center. She also oversees both the Abuse Intervention for Men and the Break the Cycle program. In today's podcast, she educates listeners on power-based violence, abuse, narcissistic and coercive behavior, and how abuse intervention programs make a difference in our society to stop the cycle of violence. Sarah Cannon speaks from years of experience working first hand with perpetrators of domestic violence. Disclaimer: To protect the privacy of our client's identifying characteristics, such as names, gender, age, have been altered.

Host Karolina Strain interviews special guest Amanda Torres. Amanda is a Sexual Assault Victim Advocate that works at the Avalon Center. In today's podcast, we discuss the genuine concerns victims of sexual abuse have when considering dating. Amanda expertly details the impact of trauma and the importance of building resilience. She also educates listeners on the warning signs of potentially abusive behavior, how to date safely, and the green flag that tells us if this could be a healthy relationship. 

Disclaimer: To protect the privacy of our client's identifying characteristics, such as names, gender, age, have been altered.

Host Karolina Strain interviews special guest Lacie Norris from the Avalon Center. Lacie works as a Sexual Assault Response Team Coordinator. In today's podcast, Lacie shares her story of how she went from victim to advocate. We discuss the dynamics of sexual assault, the impact of intergenerational abuse, trauma, and how she persevered and became an advocate. 

Disclaimer: To protect the privacy of our client's identifying characteristics, such as names, gender, age, have been altered.

Today's episode details the challenges victims of domestic violence face when dealing with the court system. We discuss orders of protection, benefits of having an advocate with you through this process, and how to prepare for court. Special guest LaChelle Lee, a court advocate for the Avalon Center, walks us through the court system and process of seeking justice. Disclaimer: To protect the privacy of our client's identifying characteristics, such as names, gender, age, have been altered.