Sailor's Disgrace: Surviving Military Sexual Assault and Navigating the Aftermath

Help Yourself in Order to Help Others

“So shines a good deed in a weary world.” William Shakespeare  It’s been a while since I’ve made an episode, but I want you know that I have been hard at work.  Safe Waters is taking off in a positive direction and I have reached new milestones in my healing journey.  Through deep meditation and breath work, I have been able to tap into a deeper sense of self and am finding my path in life.    While the journey of healing continues, I now walk more confidently and assuredly than ever before.  It is a beautiful place to be, and I am grateful for all the love, kindness, and support I have received along the way.   Please leave comments or questions if you feel so inclined.  I would love to hear your feedback! Thanks for listening, and take care of yourselves. Theme music by David Brown of Wayward Blues - check him out at www.waywardblues.com and on Spotify https://linktr.ee/sailors_disgrace [https://linktr.ee/sailors_disgrace] Note: The episode title picture is of me as a baby - I have recently found how to love that version of me and wanted to share with all of you.

Interview with Safe Waters

“Strength in Healing” Safe Waters Motto Humble, grateful, and proud - that is how I am feeling right now.  I am proud to announce that we have officially formed our non-profit, Safe Waters.  Currently, we have four members on the Board of Directors.  If you follow the podcast and group then you are already familiar with Joanne Cloud and Meghan Klement.  Our new friend, Emily Hand, is the President of Safe Waters and comes to us from Wisconsin.   Please listen to the interview to get a run down of who we are, what our goals are, and how you can help! I think our mission statement sums up what our goals are pretty well: “Safe Waters is dedicated to providing a safe, supportive, and empowering space for Coast Guard members who have experienced sexual assault and harassment within the Service. Our mission is to foster healing, promote resilience, bolster prevention, and create a community where survivors are empowered to share their experiences and find solidarity.” More information will come in the following weeks.  Our website is launching soon as well as our helpline.  We are also setting up methods to receive donations so you can help as well. Thanks for listening, and take care of yourselves. Theme music by David Brown of Wayward Blues - check him out at www.waywardblues.com and on Spotify [https://linktr.ee/sailors_disgrace]

Interview with Astrid Parks

***Trigger Warning - This Episode Contains Content That is Graphic in Nature*** Welcome back to our first storyteller interview. Astrid Parks is a survivor of Military Sexual Assault which occurred while on active duty with the Coast Guard. Her story is an important lesson in how to identify the signs of grooming. I’m grateful that Astrid reached out to our group and proud that she is taking the steps she needs to heal. Everyone’s journey is different and we can all learn something by sharing our stories. Thank you so much for sharing, Astrid. We are not alone! Thanks for listening, and take care of yourselves. Theme music by David Brown of Wayward Blues - check him out at www.waywardblues.com and on Spotify https://linktr.ee/sailors_disgrace #sexualassault #metoo #sexualabuse #survivor #rapeculture #rape #sexualviolence #consent #abuse #believesurvivors #metoomovement #rapevictim #sexualharassment #rapesurvivor #nomeansno #awareness #mentalhealth #endrapeculture #sexualassaultawareness #supportsurvivors #ptsd #trauma #rapeawareness #survivors #timesup #coastguard

Episode 4: Catharsis

"God, it was good to let go, let the tight mask fall off, and the bewildered, chaotic fragments pour out. It was the purge, the catharsis." Sylvia Plath I had the great honor of speaking at the Senior Executive Accountability Transparency Review Implementation Summit at Coast Guard Head Quarters a few weeks ago.  In short, I was able to share my full story and thoughts on Coast Guard culture to all the flag officers (Commandant included), Gold Badge Master Chiefs, and senior civilian personnel.  It was a truly humbling experience and I am in awe at how the universe puts us on the path we are intended to walk. While I am hopeful that we are on the right track as a service, we are going to experience much pain and growth to get to where we need to be.  Congressional investigations are still pending as outlined in this article I mentioned during the episode:  https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/16/politics/coast-guard-sexual-assault-senate-records-invs/index.html [https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/16/politics/coast-guard-sexual-assault-senate-records-invs/index.html] Please let me know what you think - is the Coast Guard and military in general heading in the right direction?  What else can be done to shift our culture? Thanks for listening, and take care of yourselves. Theme music by David Brown of Wayward Blues - check him out at www.waywardblues.com and on Spotify https://linktr.ee/sailors_disgrace [https://linktr.ee/sailors_disgrace]

Episode 3: Accountability and Transparency Review (ATR) Report

Episode 3: Accountability and Transparency Review (ATR) Report   “It is easy to dodge our responsibilities, but we cannot dodge the consequences of dodging our responsibilities.” Josiah Stamp  Episode three is a deep dive into the ATR report that came out earlier this week.  There are more questions than answers at this point with my main concern being the lack of real accountability for the people behind the Fouled Anchor report and its subsequent cover up.   In personal news, I am working directly with the ATR team.  They are a dedicated team of professionals and are interested in using my story for Coast Guard wide training.  I am humbled and a little blown away by all the attention this is getting.  The fact that I started this podcast earlier this year just before the Fouled Anchor report was released and how it has all intertwined is beyond me.  Life is truly incredible.   Also, one of the first action items on the ATR agenda is to host an executive summary in Washington, D.C. this coming February with Admirals, Gold Badge Master Chiefs, and SESs.  The ATR team wants me to speak at this summit so the attendees get a full account from a survivor.  I am honored to be invited to such a high profile event and won’t squander this opportunity to gain some insight on where we are headed as a service.   Thanks for listening, and take care of yourselves. Links to the full ATR review and associated documents: https://www.uscg.mil/alwaysready/ [https://www.uscg.mil/alwaysready/] Theme music by David Brown of Wayward Blues - check him out at www.waywardblues.com [http://www.waywardblues.com/?fbclid=IwAR1dG7XCpPGEVW7RU3U2q-LaRjNGI8UIYOsHxSH6APC5bkkyrKP1v5lADHM] and on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/artist/0KgZ83CWsea30o358XU3S9... [https://open.spotify.com/artist/0KgZ83CWsea30o358XU3S9?si=e8jb3BEJS2yvBirLqR8-PQ&fbclid=IwAR3_khbB7vcuJ2Pwo3B1ks145Ygceqh-3M3Goj3E2qkwoqjLnDmEwgWe20g] ⁠https://linktr.ee/sailors_disgrace⁠ [https://linktr.ee/sailors_disgrace%E2%81%A0?fbclid=IwAR1meMBl8nlYXaX8T1XqMCRPIDGcnv43DbUOpuCKxAIE_tbyWoPHk3i5Sak]