Reunion Online

With 1BlueString, our hope is to provide an opportunity for individuals to be creative and find their own unique voice in the important, challenging and rewarding mission to build a network of support for male survivors and their loved ones.

While the focus on universities’ inadequate response to sexual assaults during a student’s time on campus is an important one, most survivors on campus were survivors before they even stepped foot on our quads. Their need for support is just as important as the women and men who will experience assault once on campus.

Pope Francis made some significant pronouncements this week about confronting a culture that allowed sexual abuse to run rampant in the Church. I and billions of Catholics and non-Catholics alike will “wait and see” if he actually seizes the opportunity to create a safer world for kids in a meaningful way.

More and more often it seems we are reading news about adult females “having sex” with teenage boys.

One significant fact has emerged from struggling with my past: I've learned to reuse my pain. That may not be a sophisticated way to say it, but it helps me to think of it like that.

I was reminded recently of an important lesson about trauma recovery. The teacher was the son of a friend, a young man who spoke at his bar mitzvah about the competing motivations of fear and hope.

I decided to go to New York City recently, to join in the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Joyful Heart Foundation. I am so glad I did.

Even after men start talking about their sexual assault, most of them face one formidable obstacle: telling their family of origin.

For many of us in the service-provider fields, our families are clueless about our work. We must keep teaching, keep talking—those closest to you are listening.

Growth and healing can be painful, but also immensely rewarding. I know my life will have many ups and downs, but as long as I keep listening and learning I know I will find a lot of happiness along the way.