Safer Journeys

In this bonus episode, Melissa and Heather talk to the director, Mara, of the Partner Abuse Intervention Program (PAIP) at Safe Journeys. The PAIP program serves to help people who have abused an intimate partner develop skills to become healthier partners and stop the cycle of violence, which is helpful information for anyone hoping to model healthy relationships for the children and adolescents...

In this final episode of the season, Melissa and Heather wanted to focus on caring for our minds and bodies, after a full season talking about oppression. For this bonus episode, your hosts invited Reiki master, Ashley, to share how she helps parents and children care for themselves.  You can find SafeR Journeys Podcast at https://www.instagram.com/podcast_saferjourneys/ and https://www.facebook.c...

This episode is the second half of “Youth with Disabilities." After a review of the current data on abuse in young people with disabilities, Melissa and Heather outline why prevention is so important with these kids. They also will discuss comprehensive sex ed for young people with disabilities and a little about a sex ed curriculum called Elevatus.  You can find SafeR Journeys Podcast at htt...

In this bonus episode, your hosts discuss their background and what brought them to their current position. Melissa and Heather will also share what they love about this work and what can be difficult about working to end oppression, domestic violence, and sexual violence. They will also share what they would love to see for the future of this work. This is a great “get to know your hosts” episode...

In this episode, Melissa and Heather will introduce listeners to the intersection of abuse and disabilities in young people. Your hosts will give a quick run down on special education in the U.S. and illustrate the marginalization of people with disabilities. You can expect to learn how oppression impacts experiences of abuse, reporting abuse, and service provision for those with disabilities.  Yo...

This episode wraps up the LGBTQ+ youth miniseries. Melissa & Heather will talk about  the US Department of Education’s Toolkit for Creating Inclusive and Nondiscriminatory School Environments for LGBTQIA+ students along with some other helpful resources. You can find SafeR Journeys Podcast at https://www.instagram.com/podcast_saferjourneys/ and https://www.facebook.com/safer.journeys.podcast ....

This episode continues the LGBTQ+ youth miniseries, focusing on being a good ally. Heather & Melissa will talk about how to act when you mess up, using inclusive language, and pronouns. Your hosts will also share some do’s and don’ts.  You can find SafeR Journeys Podcast at https://www.instagram.com/podcast_saferjourneys/ and https://www.facebook.com/safer.journeys.podcast . Melissa and Heathe...

In this episode Melissa and Heather review basic terminology used by the LGBTQ+ community. Your hosts will help you better understand the differences between gender identity and sexual orientation, as well provide some helpful info to support your allyship journey.  You can find SafeR Journeys Podcast at https://www.instagram.com/podcast_saferjourneys/ and https://www.facebook.com/safer.journeys.p...

In this episode Melissa and Heather continue to discuss what LGBTQ+ young people are facing in their daily lives. They will touch on mental health and experiences of violence and harm. Melissa and Heather will briefly touch on what you can do to support LGBTQ+ young people.    You can find SafeR Journeys Podcast at https://www.instagram.com/podcast_saferjourneys/ and https://www.facebook.com/safer...

First up in the oppression season is LGBTQIA+ Youth. Melissa and Heather share info on the current climate for LGBTQIA+ young people. Your hosts will review current legislation aimed at oppression of LGBTQIA+ people, as well as some data about LGBT+ youth at school.  You can find SafeR Journeys Podcast at https://www.instagram.com/podcast_saferjourneys/ and https://www.facebook.com/safer.journeys....

In this first episode of season 2, Melissa and Heather introduce this season's theme, oppression. They will highlight the connections between oppression, violence, and well-being. Melissa and Heather will also share how anti-oppression work fits into raising and caring for youth.  You can find SafeR Journeys Podcast at https://www.instagram.com/podcast_saferjourneys/ and https://www.facebook.c...

This bonus episode features an interview with children's book author, Jayneen Sanders, of Some Secrets Should Never Be Kept . Jayneen has written many children's books designed to educate and empower children. Her books are an instrumental tool used to protect children from experiencing or perpetuating harm. You can find SafeR Journeys Podcast at https://www.instagram.com/podcast_saferjour...

Melissa & Heather discuss ways that parents and caregivers can prevent child abuse at home. You’ll learn how to empower your child to refuse possible abusers and trust their intuition. A few other topics included in this episode are body autonomy, boundaries, and private body parts.  You can find SafeR Journeys Podcast at https://www.instagram.com/podcast_saferjourneys/ and https://www.faceboo...

This episode is the second part of school-based prevention education. Melissa & Heather are joined again by Miss Emily, K-12 prevention educator, to discuss internet safety, boundaries, and private body parts. Miss Emily also shares her tips and tricks on talking to you people about tough topics.  You can find SafeR Journeys Podcast at https://www.instagram.com/podcast_saferjourneys/ and https...

In this episode Melissa & Heather talk about child sexual abuse prevention in the classroom. They are joined by a classroom educator, Miss Emily, as we learn about prevention education in K-12 schools. Miss Emily shares how she teaches the “always ask first” and “touching” rules, as well as how she talks to kids about keeping secrets.  You can find SafeR Journeys Podcast at https://www.instagr...

In this episode, Heather and Melissa speak with Erin Merryn. Erin is a childhood sexual abuse survivor, an advocate, an author, and a public speaker in the realm of childhoodsexual abuse. Her mission to protect children has led to the creation of Erin’s Law, which is now a mandate in 38 states.  You can find SafeR Journeys Podcast at https://www.instagram.com/podcast_saferjourneys/ and https://www...

Heather and Melissa continue their discussion on child sexual grooming. After a recap of part one, they share advice from child predators on keeping kids safe from sexual abuse. They also discuss some of the methods K-12 schools use to prevent child grooming.  You can find SafeR Journeys Podcast at https://www.instagram.com/podcast_saferjourneys/ and https://www.facebook.com/safer.journeys.podcast...

Melissa and Heather introduce grooming of children for sexual abuse. They take an in depth look at the stages child predators go through as they groom children for sexual abuse. Melissa and Heather also discuss the red flags, or warning signs, for adults to be on the lookout for.  You can find SafeR Journeys Podcast at https://www.instagram.com/podcast_saferjourneys/ and https://www.facebook.com/s...

This episode details how we can help decrease the negative impact of trauma by building resilience and implementing protective factors. Links to media we love https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/childabuseandneglect/riskprotectivefactors.html https://developingchild.harvard.edu/science/key-concepts/resilience/ https://www.learningforjustice.org/

In this episode, Melissa, Heather, and special guest, Stephannie, take a deep dive into a specific study on childhood trauma that has had a huge influence on how we identify and manage trauma. The study is titled “ Adverse Childhood Experiences ” or ACES, and was conducted by the CDC & Kaiser Permanente. https://amaze.org/ https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2015/03/02/387007941/take-the...

Heather and Melissa are joined by Stephannie to discuss the basics of trauma and its longterm impact on childhood development, the connections between body health and mental health, and the importance of coping mechanisms for parents and caregivers. --- Safe Journeys - on Instagram - on Facebook National Domestic Violence Hotline 800.799.SAFE (7233) National Sexual Violence Hotline 800.656.HOPE (4...

Heather and Melissa introduce the Safer Journeys podcast, and talk about the 'in-between' moments of parenting and caring for children, the links between ending sexual and domestic violence and ending oppression, and the importance hearing and respecting the voices of kids in our lives. --- Safe Journeys - on Instagram - on Facebook National Domestic Violence Hotline 800.799.SAFE (7233) National S...