CSA Survivors Speak

Episode 8: Jenny

Jenny Stith is the executive director of WINGS, a Colorado non-profit that provides services and resources to adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse. In this episode, she shares her perspective on the systemic conditions that enable childhood sexual abuse to persist, the need for more resources to support survivors as victims of crimes, and her understanding that healing from childhood sexual abuse is key to addressing numerous social and environmental issues.

Episode 7: Will

Will Addis describes the intense impacts of childhood sexual abuse that caused him to pump the breaks on his career and reprioritize his life. By being brave and vulnerable, he was able to open up about his experience, and find resources and allies to support his healing journey.  In this episode, Will shares his path from fear, shame and suicidailty to a healthy life today balancing body care, connection, enjoyment and achievement.

Episode 6: Amanda

Amanda Starr is a psychologist in California. In this episode, she explains how sensory motor therapy can help us address trauma and attachment wounds, rumbles with the term "healing," describes her experience moving home after decades away, and shares her hopes of creating an equine therapy program. Amanda also talks about how allies can listen to and support survivors and invites all to consider donating to the Loveland Foundation, which provides financial assistance to Black women and girls seeking therapy.

Episode 5: Eric

As an attorney, Eric MacLeish has represented hundreds of childhood sexual abuse survivors in claims against the Catholic church and numerous prestigious private boarding schools. In this episode, he shares his empathy for the detrimental impacts of childhood sexual abuse based on his own experience as a survivor and describes the value of caring friends and trauma-informed therapy. Eric discusses the paradox of survivors’ varied resilience and shares his legal expertise, reflecting on the challenges of current laws, recent changes in the legal landscape and his hopes for future improvements in our society’s care for children and survivors.

Episode 4: Philip

Philip Armour is a father, editor and freelance writer in Colorado. In this episode, he shares how his childhood sexual abuse impacted his behavior in adolescence, and how yoga and parenting have help him to find self-forgiveness and healing.