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.

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).

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.

• Date: October 26, 2024

• Time: 9:30 AM - 2:30 PM ET

• Hosted by Stop Trafficking US

• Location: Live via Zoom

• $65/person

• FREE to Incest AWARE members and Maine residents. Contact Feather for the coupon code: feather@parentingsafechildren.com.

• Register here

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!

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:

Rachel Grant Coaching is hosting the following free online support groups this month:

October 10, 2024: Thrive Tribe - Drop-In Q&A

• Time: 4:30-6 PM PT / 7:30-9 PM ET

• Location: Online

• Sign up here

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.

• Date: November 14-15, 2024

• Location: Tampa, Florida

• View the conference schedule and sign up here

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.

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.