In this introductory episode, host and survivor DeAnn Tilton asks the question that shaped her life and her work: Why is it like this? She traces her path from a childhood of confusion and harm, to a hospital that treated her but didn't protect her sisters, to a phone call to the police that ended with the words "statute of limitations." Along the way she began to find the answers — not personal ones, but historical, structural, and institutional ones. This podcast is the result of that search.

Content note: This episode contains a personal account of the effects of childhood sexual abuse.

Support Resources

If you or someone you know needs support, the following organizations are here to help.

National Crisis Support

• RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) — National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) | Text HOPE to 64673 | https://www.rainn.org
• 1in6 — Support for men who have had unwanted or abusive sexual experiences: https://1in6.org

Community-Specific Support

• The Trevor Project — Crisis intervention and suicide prevention for LGBTQ+ youth: 1-866-488-7386 | Text START to 678678 | https://www.thetrevorproject.org
• StrongHearts Native Helpline — Culturally specific support for Native American and Alaska Native communities: 1-844-7NATIVE (762-8483) | https://www.strongheartshelpline.org
• DAWN (Deaf Abused Women's Network) — Support for Deaf and DeafBlind survivors: Video phone 202-559-5366 | https://www.deafdawn.org
• Mirror Memoirs — Healing circles for Black and Indigenous gender non-conforming adult survivors of child sexual abuse: https://mirrormemoirs.org
• Hidden Water — Restorative justice healing circles for those impacted by child sexual abuse: https://hiddenwatercircle.org
• National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life (NCALL) — Resources addressing abuse against older adults: https://www.ncall.us
• NO MORE Global Directory — Sexual assault and domestic violence resources in every UN-recognized country: https://nomore.org

Prevention

• Stop It Now! — Prevention resources and support for anyone concerned about sexual behavior toward children: 1-888-773-8368 | https://www.stopitnow.org
• Darkness to Light — Prevention education and training for adults who protect children: https://www.d2l.org

Find Local Resources

• National Alliance to End Sexual Violence (NAESV) — Directory to find your state sexual assault coalition: https://endsexualviolence.org

About the Host

DeAnn Tilton is the founder of the Talk to a Survivor nonprofit, she trained as a victim advocate (UCASA), and a Darkness to Light facilitator. She holds a BS in psychology and MS in human development and social policy. DeAnn has testified to help expand statutes of limitations for survivors of childhood sexual abuse.

Connect Email: talktoasurvivor@gmail.com Substack: @talktoasurvivor