On this episode of the Voice 2 Change Podcast we speak with guest Tracey Blackman, a survivor and speaker for Jane Doe No More. Tracey bravely shares her personal journey of surviving childhood sexual abuse at the hands of a family member, and her 12-year involvement with Jane Doe No More.

Tracey's story sheds light on the impact that sexual abuse has had on her relationships and her life. She discusses her ongoing journey of healing, sharing her story, and getting help through therapy. She also discusses the important role of organizations like Jane Doe No More in providing support and education to survivors and the community. Tracey talks about rape culture and the societal reactions to victims of sexual crimes, and how blaming the victim is not the right approach.

Through her own experiences and advocacy work, Tracey emphasizes the message of hope, healing, and the importance of seeking support. Her inspirational words carry a powerful message of resilience and the need to address and change societal perceptions around sexual crimes.

• Tracey's personal story and confrontation with her abuser
• Tracey's involvement with Jane Doe No More
• How the media addresses sexual crimes
• Danger of “boys will be boys” attitude
• Victim-blaming and societal attitudes towards victims
• The way we, as a society, address rape culture
• Encouraging victims to seek help

Connect with Jane Doe No More:

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In honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month today's guest is Dr. Jessica Samaroo. A survivor and specialist in trauma and healing. Dr. Samaroo bravely shares her personal journey of abuse and the struggle to find support, highlighting the impact of trauma on individuals and the importance of addressing and processing such experiences. She found healing through Jane Doe No More's Survivor Speak Program and now offers her own 16-week online course, Survivor to Thrivor, aimed at addressing trauma's effects on the brain and body. She emphasizes the need to regulate the stress response for overall wellbeing. Dr. Samaroo's journey of forgiveness, self-love practices, breathing techniques, and sharing her story serves as a powerful reminder of the hope, support, and resources available for survivors of sexual crimes. Dr. Jessica Samaroo is a licensed Naturopathic Physician who specializes in integrative treatments for mental health conditions. Dr. Samaroo holds her doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine from the University of Bridgeport School of Naturopathic Medicine. Jessica was born in Trinidad and came to New York at the age of 15. Through her work with the organization Jane Doe No More, she found her passion for speaking and advocating for others. Today, she is a registered nurse as well as a naturopathic doctor and continues to use her voice to make a difference in the lives of others.

• Immigrating to the United States at 15

• Living a purposeful life

• Seeking help through talk therapy, support groups, and EMDR therapy

• Going to naturopathic medical school

• Breathing to regulate the nervous system

• Survivor to Thrivor 16-week program

• The power of breathwork

Jessica Samaroo website

Connect with Jane Doe No More:

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In today’s episode we discuss the significance of recognizing and supporting secondary survivors. A secondary survivor can be a friend, family member, or anyone who loves someone who has been the victim of a sexual crime. Debbie shares her own survivor story and her experience and advice for secondary survivors.

Debbie Mitchell is a survivor of child sexual assault from her father. The abuse began when she was very young and continued until she moved out at age 19. She kept the abuse a secret, even from her brothers. After getting married and having four children, Debbie experienced PTSD symptoms when the stress in her life increased. Despite the trauma she endured, Debbie has persevered and is now dedicated to raising awareness about the long-lasting effects of childhood sexual abuse. After being a part of a support group for 2 years, she started her own support group for other women, and eventually found Jane Doe No More where she is now part of the Survivors Speak Outreach Team.

• Defining what a secondary survivor is

• Some of the challenges secondary survivors face

• Debbie’s personal story and experience with secondary survivors

• The importance of having people believe a survivor's story

• Learning how PTSD can affect a survivor later in life

• Confronting family members about abuse and the strained relationships it can cause

• Finding healing through support groups

• The significance of sharing stories of resilience and the impact it can have on others

  
  

Connect with Jane Doe No More:

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