Sexual Assault Survivor Stories

147. A Repeat of Episode 43: Cashaye Barrera—An Episode Worth Hearing Again! Sometimes life throws us a curve ball when we least expect it, and it changes the trajectory of the path we were on. That's what happened this week when a guest who was scheduled to record with me had some unexpected events thwart our scheduled appointment and we weren't able to record. So, I made the decision to do somet...

Welcome to Episode 146. It's an honor and pleasure to introduce you to Sirona Healing Center of San Diego, CA. This episode features the two co-founders of Sirona, Jessica (Jess) Pride and Verna (Vee) Griffin-Tabor. Jess's name may sound familiar to some of you who've been long-time listeners to SASS…she was my guest on Episode 44, in August, 2023. The reason I'm featuring Sirona Healing Center th...

Welcome to Episode 145 of Sexual Assault Survivor Stories. It's hard to believe, but the year is already half gone!...WoW! By way of celebrating this half-way point of this year's shows, I wanted to provide a compilation of a few of the powerful, brave, survivors who have guested on this show. I picked out some of the more gripping and impressionable portions of these lady's interviews as a remind...

Welcome to Episode 144 of Sexual Assault Survivor Stories. This is just a short teaser…something to get you prepared for a much longer, intensive interview that will be airing in just a few weeks. Alan has been on the show four times previous to this episode…and the one that's coming up will be his sixth! He's worth listening to! In today's episode, Alan discusses the challenges he's faced and the...

This is an episode of massive importance. My deepest thanks to my guest, Becky Nulle, who endured horrific experiences of rape and sexual assault from multiple perpetrators, one of which was the Deputy Superintendent of Chicago Schools, James Moffat, in the late 70's and early 80's. Becky was one of 5 victims that suffered rape and sexual assault from Moffat who was finally charged and prosecuted...

In this solo episode of Sexual Assault Survivor Stories (The SASS Podcast), host Dave Markel takes the mic alone to deliver a powerful, reflective, and informative monologue. While there's no guest again this week, the episode is anything but empty. Instead, it offers a thoughtful exploration of recent survivor stories making headlines, along with an in-depth look at survivor-led advocacy, cultura...

This week it's just me. I want to clear up any confusion on my view of what rape culture is, and how we can do something about it. There's a lot in here about the impact of rape culture. Please listen in! It's time we start normalizing the conversation. An important side note: if you're finding value in these episodes, please take a moment to leave a 5-star rating on your podcast platform. AND, pl...

Today I have the privilege of hosting Violeta Bagia, an accomplished author hailing from the vibrant landscapes of Australia. Violeta joins me to share her profound journey, intertwining her experiences as a survivor with her passion for storytelling. Her writing career, marked by a poignant blend of resilience and empathy, has captivated readers worldwide. Today, she opens up about her personal o...

Hi! I'm glad you're here!...this is some powerful information. When you listen to this episode, consider this: Nicole is more than just a business colleague and mutual advocate for bringing justice to victims and survivors of interpersonal violence; she is a good friend, confidant, and someone whose integrity and unwavering dedication inspire everyone around her to do better and be better, both pr...

This episode is a deep dive into the transformative journeys of individuals making significant strides in trauma recovery and advocacy. I am finally having the opportunity to shine a spotlight on Victor Lyons, a dedicated trauma incident reduction coach whose work has reshaped the landscape of trauma recovery. Victor Lyons was introduced to me through Derrick Hurley (Episodes 125 through 128), and...

This is the concluding episode of Leslie McFadden's appearance on Sexual Assault Survivor Stories. Leslie's experience is a powerful example of the systemic issues that many survivors face. In October 2015, she was drugged and raped in Brooklyn. The last thing she remembers was drinks on Stone Street; she would wake up in a hospital many hours later, not knowing what happened. Slowly, she began to...

Never one to pull any punches, this SASS episode is no exception. This is a full throttle, deep dive, all-in listen. A Gut Punch. Leslie McFadden's experience is a powerful example of the systemic issues that many survivors face. In October 2015, she was drugged and raped in Brooklyn. The last thing she remembers was drinks on Stone Street; she would wake up in a hospital many hours later, not kno...

In this powerful crossover episode, I had the fantastic fortune to join forces with the hosts of the What They Don't Say: Sexual Assault and Everything in Between podcast for a special pod-share episode. It was an incredible opportunity for all of us to come together and share our unique perspectives on the journey of healing and justice after sexual assault. I've been following Shannon and Lauren...

As a podcast host, it's not uncommon to receive a steady stream of inquiries from publicists and agents eager to get their clients featured on as many platforms as possible. While some pitches align beautifully with the heart and purpose of the show, others—though well-intentioned—may not be the right fit. That's why it's so important to dig deeper, to go beyond the initial pitch and truly underst...

Today's episode was truly an enjoyable show to record: my guest is Matt Stegner, a former police officer having served with both the Atlanta (GA) Police Department and the New York State Police. We currently share the same profession…Matt is a trainer/consultant in specializing in trauma-informed investigations of sexual assault and rape cases. I had the pleasure of meeting him at an End Violence...

This is the final episode of Rachel Izzo's encounter with the New York Police Department (NYPD) and a harrowing tale of systemic failure and the enduring impact of trauma on survivors of sexual assault. Her story is not just a narrative of personal suffering but a stark indictment of institutional shortcomings in handling cases of sexual violence. In her quest for justice, Rachel found herself nav...

If you've tuned into this podcast before, you already know that this show serves a dual purpose: first, providing a safe space for victims and survivors of rape or sexual assault to share their experiences and facilitate healing. And second, it works to educate professionals from all walks of life on trauma-informed care—because understanding this stuff isn't just about checking a box. It's about...

Welcome back to Sexual Assault Survivor Stories, the SASS Podcast. In this powerful and impactful episode, we begin a multi-episode series featuring Rachel Izzo, a brave survivor who shares her gripping story of multiple sexual assaults and rapes. Rachel's journey is not only important for its emotional depth but also for the unique perspective she offers from a law enforcement lens. Her experienc...

I have listened, on and off, to the Dear Katie: Survivor Stories podcast for several years and had it in the back of my head that doing a podshare episode with her might be something that both our audiences might find informative and enlightening. So, with nothing to lose, I sent off an email asking if this was something she might be interested in. She responded that she thought it was a great ide...

Welcome to Part 4, the powerful conclusion of this compelling four-part series featuring Kaitlin Hurley-Fields and her devoted father, Derrick Hurley. In this deeply moving final episode, Kaitlin and Derrick share powerful reflections on their emotional journey through trauma, justice, healing, and advocacy following Kaitlin's devastating rape by a visiting UK police officer in Antigua. Derrick Hu...

This is the opening paragraph from Derrick Hurley's website about his book, Antiguan Justice: A Father's Fight. This passage is both powerful and important, and it deserves special attention because it highlights not only a family's painful struggle to survive the trauma of Kaitlin's horrific rape but also the incredible lengths a devoted father will go to in his pursuit of justice for his daughte...

I want to share with you, again, the opening paragraph from Derrick Hurley's website about the book he wrote: Antiguan Justice: A Father's Fight… it's important and powerful enough that it bears making sure you read it to emphasize the importance of not only the family's stirring struggle to survive Kailin's horrific rape, but also the extent that a loving father will go to help bring justice to h...

Let me share with you the opening paragraph from Derrick Hurley's website about the book he wrote: Antiguan Justice: A Father's Fight… Derrick Hurley, a devoted father, found himself in a heart-wrenching battle when his daughter, Kaitlin Hurley, fell victim to a harrowing crime in 2015. Kaitlin, a nursing student living in Antigua, endured a traumatic experience at the hands of a London police off...

When I found BB Gabriel on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/stories/no.ordinary.love_bb.gabriel/), and read about her book, No Ordinary Love, I wasted no time in reaching out to her to ask her to be a guest on this show. BB readily agreed, but due to some medical issues that came up for her, we had to wait awhile to get her episode recorded. It is with tremendous honor that I am finally able t...

The path from abuse to empowerment…this title doesn't quite do justice to this story; but it's a good start. Victoria Ellen IS a survivor! But even more that, she is a powerhouse. She married a man who wasn't at all what he seemed. What started out as a loving, encouraging and pretty wonderful marriage turned into what was, in reality, a textbook example of the cycle of domestic violence. Victoria...