Survivors CAN be thrivers. They just need the help and support of people around them: other survivors, people they can trust.

I knew that my voice could be a tool to make change in the systems that failed me. So that is what I did. I spoke up and I spoke out.

My biggest flex and healing skill has been to rise beyond the ashes and soar, while helping others.

Samantha, Dawn and Neil are all survivors of sexual abuse / rape. They've each used advocacy to not only survive, but to also thrive.

Each time I tell a piece of my story, I know that someone will benefit from my words, and that is all that matters to me.

I found that engaging in advocacy work helped to combat feelings of powerlessness and helped me rebuild a sense of agency and control.

Our conversation will focus on the mental health toll on advocates for survivors of sexual assault and abuse.