-
What happens when government shutdowns cancel victim advocacy training and cut $72 million in survivor services? What does it mean to pursue victim advocate certification while democratic institutions erode and funding for trauma-informed care disappears? On October 18th, I wore yellow and stood with millions of others across the country at the No Kings National…
-
Content Warning: This review discusses sexual assault, rape, and trauma. As I work toward becoming a certified victim advocate while navigating my own healing journey as a domestic violence survivor, I’ve learned that the stories we need most are rarely the easiest to read. Pagan Kennedy’s The Secret History of the Rape Kit is one of those necessary,…
-
It’s been over a month since I’ve written here. A month that began with me turning 40—a milestone I’d been looking forward to with an optimism I hadn’t felt in years. I was ready to start a new decade. Ready to step into something different. And then I got sick. Not just a cold. Seriously,…
-
After finishing the Basics level of the OVC TTAC VAT Online training, I was eager to move into the Core Competencies and Skills section. This is where the training shifts from understanding the landscape of victim services to building the actual skills advocates use every day in their work with victims. I’ve now completed all…
-
When I started my journey toward becoming a credentialed victim advocate, I knew I’d be learning about trauma. I knew I’d be studying crisis intervention, legal systems, and support strategies. What I didn’t expect was how much I’d be learning about grief—and how much of my own grief I’d finally be able to name. The…
-
A reflection on Katherine May’s “Enchantment: Awakening Wonder in an Anxious Age” There’s a quote from Katherine May’s Enchantment that I haven’t been able to shake: “There is no one predator from which to escape; there are many. We are in the business of running now. It is all so urgent. Every year, it seems we must…
-
When the government shutdown abruptly cancelled my OVC TTAC Pathways in the Victim Services Field training after just one week, I was devastated. But I quickly realized that dwelling on what I couldn’t control wouldn’t help me—or the future victims I hope to serve. Instead, I pivoted to what was still available: the self-paced Office…
-
When Mindfulness Isn’t Enough I’ll be honest with you: I’ve never been great at meditation. My longest streak on the Calm app? Sixteen days. And if I’m being really honest, I never figured out how to make my thoughts calm or how to focus on my breath for more than 45 seconds without my mind…
-
Reflections on Indigenous Peoples’ Day, healing, and the work that sustains us Today is Indigenous Peoples’ Day—a day to honor the resilience, sovereignty, and enduring contributions of Native peoples whose wisdom has always been here, waiting for us to listen. As I work toward becoming a victim advocate while healing from my own experiences with…
-
Understanding the stages of trauma recovery can transform your healing journey from feeling lost to having a clear roadmap forward. Whether you’re healing from childhood abuse, sexual assault, domestic violence, or other traumatic experiences, recognizing where you are in established recovery models helps you trust the process and be patient with yourself. This post explores…