Incest AWARE Newsletter October 2024 Learn about it. Talk about it. End it. |
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We are thrilled to share that the Incest AWARE Guide is available! This resource is an introduction to what the Incest AWARE Alliance has learned from its history as advocates and activists to end intrafamilial child sexual abuse (ICSA). The guide includes the most comprehensive information we have gathered to date. We invite readers to ask questions, ideate solutions, and come up with a diverse set of conclusions that will further drive the Incest AWAREness movement within their own contexts and communities. Please note that this document will always be evolving, so questions or feedback for edits and additions are always welcome. Many thanks to the Alliance members who offered their time and expertise, and to Jo. Lauren for the tremendous effort they put into writing and publishing this guide. Download and/or listen to the guide here. |
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With the fall season upon us, this is also the time of year for family gatherings, which can contribute to feelings of anxiety and overwhelm or bring painful memories to the surface. There are a number of resources to support survivors during the holidays. Here are a few tips from Saprea and a guide: Guide: Making Your Holidays Safer and Happier Plan ahead. Identify people who can help. Think about what you'll need from your supporter. Plan a response to any sexual abuse related questions. Make a list of positive affirmations. Know when to say "No" (and remember "No" is a complete sentence!). Make caring for yourself a priority.
Survivors may also want to identify alternative housing plans (consider staying with a friend or non-offending family member) and make plans that involve leaving the home for extended period of time to do things such as volunteering, catching up with friends, or offering to run errands. Advocates and supporters of survivors may wish to keep the following in mind when considering how to help survivors feel safe and supported: Listen to what they need: Forget the impulse to offer advice or "fix" things; let the survivor tell you how they need support. Create a safe space: Ask the survivor how you can make the environment feel safe and comfortable. Offer to create a plan and perhaps choose a safe word they can use if they are feeling the need for extra support during the gathering. Respect the survivor's boundaries: Be respectful of their physical, social, and emotional boundaries. Educate yourself: Grow your knowledge of trauma and incest abuse to better support the survivors in your life. Be patient: Let the survivor know you are there. Deeply listen and meet them where they are (not where you want or wish for them to be).
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Parenting Safe Children Workshop |
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Parenting Safe Children educates adults about how to keep children safe from sexual abuse. The Parenting Safe Children Workshop includes 5-hours of presentation, interaction through Q & A and role-playing, a certificate of attendance if needed, and a 12-page packet of materials. |
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The Parts Work Project Workshops |
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Brinn Langdale, LMFT is offering The Parts Work Project, a series of free workshops. You can find the dates for all upcoming workshops at the link and mark your calendars. Befriending Your Inner Critic Date: October 24, 2024 Time: 12 PM ET Location: Live via Zoom Register here
In this workshop you will transform your relationship to your self- criticism by learning to navigate this part of yourself and gain compassionate techniques and reframes to turn your Inner Critic into a supportive ally. A replay will be sent and available for a limited time. When you register, you gain access to all workshops and can attend as many as you like! |
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Living Earth Sex Ed Classes |
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Living Earth Sex Ed, with Claire Appelmans, is a place where parents can seek support in talking to their children about bodies, boundaries, and sexuality. Online, in-person workshops, and private consultations are available. Here are this month's workshops: |
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October 8, 2024: Talking with Kids About Sexual Media Online For parents and caregivers of 6+ year olds (teachers, mentors, and healthcare professionals are welcome!) Time: 6-7 PM PT Location: Live on Zoom Cost: $29/family or organization (includes digital workbook) Sign up here
October 11, 2024: Bodies, Boundaries, and Sex Ed in the Early Years For parents and caregivers of 0-5 year olds (teachers, mentors, and healthcare professionals are welcome!) Time: 12-1 PM PT Location: Live on Zoom Cost: $29/family or organization (includes digital workbook) Sign up here
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Rachel Grant Coaching Support Groups |
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Rachel Grant Coaching is hosting the following free online support groups this month: October 10, 2024: Thrive Tribe - Drop-In Q&A |
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Join us for an empowering and supportive live Q&A session designed specifically for survivors of childhood trauma. This safe and compassionate space is dedicated to fostering healing, understanding, and growth so you can live your best damn life! October 14, 2024: Living In Your Body
As survivors of childhood sexual abuse, many of us find living in our bodies discomforting. Our abuse is taken in through our bodies and our bodies hold a record of our memories. We will explore the discomforts and pleasures, the way healing is related, and any lessons you've learned along the way for living in your body. |
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Be Bold: Innovative Approaches to Advocacy |
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Be Bold is a multidisciplinary conference bringing together experts from victim services professionals, holistic practitioners, and researchers to share creative practices, current research, and effective programs and policies. This two-day conference will focus on the critical topics for victim advocates, offering 10 dynamic and behaviorally, psychologically, and holistically based sessions. |
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BOOKS, BLOGS, AND PODCASTS |
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Author, artist, and anti-incest liberation agent (AILA) Josephine A. Lauren was a recent guest on the OneVOICE podcast. Listen as Jo. shares about the Incest AWARE alliance of individuals and organizations seeking to improve methods of incest prevention, intervention, recovery, and justice. Listen to the episode, Streams of Liberation. |
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Brinn Langdale's, "A Travel Guide to Your Healing Journey" is available and free. Each section of the guide is full of information, resources and action steps to – lay the foundation for the road ahead, no matter where it takes you. Set up as a 6-day miniseries that takes less than 15 minutes a day, recipients will receive a video and PDF with action steps. Sign up for the guide here. |
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Search for 'Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story,' and you'll find many articles about the producers' egregious missteps in telling the true story of the brothers' abuse and eventual murder of their parents. Critics argue that the producer took creative liberties by including a storyline about an incestuous relationship between the brothers. In another recent Netflix documentary, former professional wresting promoter, Vince McMahon, shares about his childhood and past abuse. McMahon himself resigned from World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) earlier this year amid allegations of sexual abuse.
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GET SUPPORT Learn more about Incest AWARE's Alliance of individuals and organizations that offer a number of survivor-centered resources available to incest abuse survivors, supporters, and spokespeople who share our commitment to creating safer families and systems. |
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Fractured Atlas is a non-profit arts service organization. Contributions for the charitable purposes of Incest AWARE are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. |
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