Centering Youth Voices: Youth-Led Prevention and Addressing Harm with Shael Norris

Centering Youth Voices: Youth-Led Prevention and Addressing Harm with Shael Norris

What does it actually look like to put young people at the center of preventing sexual violence? In this episode, Jacqueline sits down with Shael Norris, Founding Executive Director of SafeBAE, and a former staff member of V-Day, to talk about her path from "accidental activism" to building one of the only youth- and survivor-led prevention organizations in the United States. Shael shares why SafeBAE does things differently. From paying the young survivors they work with, why youth sit on the organizations board of directors (not a separate youth advisory board), and what she's learned about the delicate line between healing and activism. The conversation moves into SafeBAE's school-based prevention models and certified peer educator training, the research showing why one-off assemblies don't work. The conversation moves to discussing VibeCheck — a first-of-its-kind accountability tool designed to reach people who have caused or fear they've caused harm, before they spiral further. Shael closes with her single most important piece of advice for parents. This episode is a candid, hopeful conversation about meeting young people where they are, passing the torch, and refusing to look away from the hardest parts of this work. 00:00 – Welcome 00:26 – "Accidental activism": Eve Ensler, V-Day, and finding the work 04:46 – A dress code, Title IX, and the gaps no one was filling 07:51 – Founding SafeBAE and partnering with the youth from Audrie & Daisy 14:06 – From Sundance to 33 schools in the first year 18:51 – Why young people have value, and why you should be paying them 22:53 – Youth in the trenches: putting young people on the board 28:45 – Healing vs. activism, and not making trauma your identity 38:39 – Passing the torch and leaving ego at the door 43:45 – "Know Before You Nude" and being surprised by the adults 50:38 – SafeBAE's prevention "buffet" and certified peer educator training 56:08 – What the research says: why one-off programs fail 1:00:08 – Accountability tools, restorative justice, and culture change 1:04:15 – The origin of VibeCheck: interrupting harmful pathways online 1:12:17 – Don't create their "villain origin story" 1:21:29 – One call to action for parents: be the person they can call 1:25:33 – Where to find SafeBAE and VibeCheck Resources & Links: SafeBAE - safebae.org VibeCheck by SafeBAE - checkyourvibe.org REES Community (anonymous reporting platform) - reescommunity.com Audrie & Daisy - 2016 documentary, found on Netflix V-Day - vday.org Connect with She Matters: www.shematters.ca or email: hello@shematters.ca If this episode resonated with you, please follow the show, leave a review, and share it with someone in your community.

Exploring Restorative Justice with Dee Rooke

In this conversation, Dee Rooke, a restorative justice community worker, discusses the principles and practices of restorative justice, emphasizing its focus on survivor healing and community involvement. Dee shares personal experiences and insights into how restorative justice differs from traditional criminal justice systems, highlighting the importance of survivor-centered approaches and the need for diverse options in addressing harm. The discussion also explores barriers to implementing restorative justice, the transformative potential of community support, and the necessity of reimagining care pathways for survivors of sexual violence. 00:00: Introduction to Restorative Justice 01:11: Defining Restorative Justice 04:39: Survivor-Centered Approaches 09:37: Exploring Restorative Practices 14:37: Barriers to Restorative Justice 18:17: Personal Journey into Restorative Justice 21:22: Transformative Experiences in Restorative Justice 26:20: The Importance of Healing and Accountability 32:59: Community-Based Models for Addressing Harm 36:59: Reimagining Care Pathways for Survivors Keywords: restorative justice, survivor healing, community support, sexual violence, accountability, transformative justice, social work, healing processes, justice reform, community initiatives

Breaking the Silence: Debriefing the World Juniors Sexual Assault Trial Pt. 1

In this powerful episode, we’re joined by Christie Pachakis from SOAR Initiative to reflect on the recent World Juniors sexual assault trial - a case that has shaken the nation and forced uncomfortable but necessary conversations about consent, accountability, victim blaming, and rape culture in sports. Together, we break down the trial, the impact on survivors, and the media's role in shaping public perception. But more importantly, we go beyond the headlines to address a deeper, systemic issue: the urgent need for comprehensive consent education and the responsibility we have to teach young people about respectful, healthy sexual conduct. We also highlight SOAR Initiative’s important advocacy work, including their Change.org petition to the NHL, demanding stronger accountability measures in professional sports. Tune in for a conversation that calls us all in—and asks: what are we doing to shift culture and protect future generations? Guest: Christie Pachakis – Survivor, Advocate, Founder and Director of SOAR Initiative Resources Mentioned: Sign the Petition to the NHL – https://chng.it/2pHGj4HH9Y

Bridging the Gaps: Survivor-Centered Solutions for Enhanced Care Pathways

Join us for a deeply moving and powerful panel discussion hosted by She Matters and moderated by MMIWG2S+ survivor advocate Fallon Farinacci. This special episode, recorded during Victims and Survivors of Crime Week 2025, brings together survivors, care providers, and advocates from across Turtle Island to explore the systemic barriers faced by survivors of sexual and domestic violence when accessing care and justice. Panelists share personal experiences, innovative ideas, and bold calls to action to address the gaps in access to forensic evidence collection, trauma-wise care, culturally relevant support, and legal advocacy. The conversation centers survivor voices and offers a powerful look at community-led, culturally grounded, and trauma-informed innovations to create change. Panelists Include: This Woman’s Truth: survivor and victim’s rights advocate in Canada and Italy. Asmaa Ali: award-winning registered nurse, researcher, and health equity advocate. Sarah Hope: trauma-informed care provider with over 20 years of frontline counselling experience. Keara Dean: Sexual assault survivor, counsellor, and grassroots advocate. Patti MacIntomney: Elder, legal trailblazer, and survivor advocate. Nadia George: actor, somatic trauma-informed care provider, and environmental justice advocate. Jayden Ode'imin: Anishinaabe and Southeast Asian designer, advocate, and survivor. Moderator: Fallon Farinacci, Red River Métis survivor advocate and speaker for MMIWG2S+. Topics Covered: - Barriers to accessing care in rural, remote, and northern communities - The retraumatization of survivors within healthcare and legal systems - The importance of culturally relevant, land-based, and peer-led healing practices - Innovations in survivor-led justice, including private prosecutions - Gaps in family court, police response, and mental health supports - National calls to action for advocacy and systemic reform Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of sexual assault, domestic violence, system failures, and trauma. Please listen with care. Available On: All major podcast platforms and at www.shematters.ca/bridgingthegapspanel Connect with Us: Follow @SheMattersUnited on Instagram and Facebook, or get in touch at www.shematters.ca/bridgingthegapspanel.

We Rise Series: Destiny Douglas

Content Warning: This episode features themes of assault perpetrated by law enforcement/authority figures, secondary trauma rooting from the reporting process, and isolation for survivors in northern and remote communities. These themes may be difficult to navigate for some listeners. As always, protect your peace. Note: To keep the authenticity of the conversation between Jacqueline and Destiny, this episode has been released with minimal edits. Destiny did experience some technical challenges from her end at the end of our call, but her message remained so powerful throughout.  Travelling for access to court: 4:50 - 5:00 Gaps in care for survivors in northern and remote communities: ongoing throughout the episode Processing the immediate trauma of SA: 6:55 - 7:16 Treatment in hospital: 10:45 - 14:20 Sexual Assault Evidence Kit Exam: 14:28 - 22:13 Reporting to police: 23:00 - 30:22 Sexual violence education in school: 31:12 - 34:00 Struggles with friends following disclosure of SA: 36:00 - 42:18 Appeal of conviction: 47:00 - 52:00 Cross examination: 52:58 - 54:18 Details of sexual assault and disassociation / frozen fright: 54:33 - 55:26, 1:13:18 - 1:15:14 Navigating trauma over time: 56:50 - 1:17:10 To learn more about Destiny's story, please visit the following links:  https://www.nugget.ca/2018/05/11/destiny-douglas-confronts-her-rapist-in-court  [https://www.nugget.ca/2018/05/11/destiny-douglas-confronts-her-rapist-in-court ] https://globalnews.ca/news/5405424/sexual-assault-survivor-ex-toronto-cop/  [https://globalnews.ca/news/5405424/sexual-assault-survivor-ex-toronto-cop/ ] https://www.manitoulin.com/appeal-denied/ [https://www.manitoulin.com/appeal-denied/] https://www.manitoulin.com/sexual-assault-survivor-begins-her-advocacy-for-victims-rights/ [https://www.manitoulin.com/sexual-assault-survivor-begins-her-advocacy-for-victims-rights/] https://torontosun.com/news/crime/victim-vindicated-as-her-ex-cop-rapist-loses-appeal [https://torontosun.com/news/crime/victim-vindicated-as-her-ex-cop-rapist-loses-appeal] Life After Inspiration Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/Life.after.inspire [https://www.facebook.com/Life.after.inspire]