Reunion Online

My own healing process and my work with abused kids and violent adults inclines me to see a lot of wisdom in the neighbor’s approach.

But it's also more than telling our stories, it's telling them to someone who will listen, who will feel our pain, and offer us support.

As is true with the process of healing from childhood trauma, finding a community of partners has been key to the success of the work of 1in6 since our founding days, over seven years ago. 

A trigger is something that sets off a memory tape or flashback, transporting the person back to the event of his/her original trauma.

"What can I do?"

Men are a vulnerable population, worthy of healing and not just for the purpose of preventing violence against women.

In a very surprising and rare occurrence in a debate about Child Sexual Abuse Prevention trainings on the floor of the Utah State Senate, three male Senators disclosed their personal experiences of sexual abuse and attempted abuse as children. The three men disclosed openly and publicly during a floor debate on bill (HB 286) proposed by Angela Romero of Salt Lake City. The bill would allow public schools to teach children age-appropriate instruction on how to recognize and report abusive acts.

All survivors—women and men, boys and girls—have suffered enough. It's time we spoke openly, intelligently and compassionately about the men who have suffered the trauma of abuse.

If I could have cleansed myself from those negative emotions, I would have done so long ago.

How do we use the lessons of trauma-informed care to help the people who commit those violent acts—often men who themselves were physically, sexually and/or emotionally abused or neglected—stop, be accountable and live safe, satisfying lives?