What if I told you that I was a victim of child sex abuse? As a survivor of child sexual abuse , I have a clear understanding of the importance of addressing stigma and shame as it pertains to sexual abuse, sexual assault and rape. Victims, especially young children, often do not disclose sexual abuse. Those who are witnesses of child sexual abuse, or who are trusted by survivors enough that they confide in them, are often ill-equipped to handle the responsibility. And, many times, parents...

Great Things Are Happening Here At EmpowerSurvivors! EmpowerSurvivors wants to give a very LARGE shout out and warm welcome to our newest EmpowerSurvivors certified peer support specialist and facilitator Rachel Block! Rachel participated in our weekly meetings and has shown us what it means to go from victim to survivor, to thriver! Rachel will be heading up a new EmpowerSurvivors peer support group for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse beginning July 1, 2019 in Eagan, Minnesota .

Cissy's note: This is a great podcast for parents, educators, and community organizers and change makers. It is an interview with @Rebecca Lewis-Pankratz interviewed by Danny Bowers "Sunshine" of Better Leaders Better Schools . Rebecca Lewis-Pankratz says things like, " We all need each other. Everyone here is important," and " The community is who we are," but they aren't inclusive-sounding platitudes. She is a tireless optimist but also understands, personally and professionally, how...

Dissociation from oneself has long-term implications for who we become. How common is developmental trauma? Developmental trauma is more common than many of us realize. According to the National Child Traumatic Stress Network , 78% of children reported more than one traumatic experience before the age of 5. Twenty percent of children up to the age of 6 were receiving treatment for traumatic experiences, including sexual abuse, neglect , exposure to domestic violence , and traumatic loss or...

Join us in three weeks for our free, virtual Annual Growing Resilient Communities Gathering! This event develops and implements community-wide approaches to Building Self-Healing Communities. Participants are encouraged to attend who are involved, or want to be involved in, addressing the root causes of childhood adversity: this can include Collaborative, tribal, and other community partners, such as health, law enforcement, education, social services, parents, businesses, and nonprofit...

Join us NEXT WEEK for our free, virtual Annual Growing Resilient Communities Gathering! This event develops and implements community-wide approaches to Building Self-Healing Communities. Participants are encouraged to attend who are involved, or want to be involved in, addressing the root causes of childhood adversity: this can include Collaborative, tribal, and other community partners, such as health, law enforcement, education, social services, parents, businesses, and nonprofit service...

Indigenous community members and Children’s Mental Health and Family Services Collaboratives' partners are encouraged to attend! This film highlights the untold history of America’s Indian Adoption Era, when nearly one-third of children were removed from tribal communities nationwide. As political scrutiny over Indian child welfare intensifies, an adoption survivor helps others find their way home through song and ceremony. In-Person and Virtual options are available!

The 6 th annual Growing Resilient Communities Gathering of Collaboratives and Tribal Nations will be held in 1 week, on Tuesday, June 27 th from 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. This free, virtual event will focus on highlighting community-based approaches that support the development of self-healing communities – communities that intentionally develop more inclusive and equitable practices, cultural norms, and concrete supports so all children, families, and adults can thrive. This year, the theme is...