Courageous’s Story

 

Tracy's Story

Tracy Green is a survivor of childhood and adolescent sexual abuse (rape). Today Tracy serves as the state representative of Texas for the Peer Leadership Council of NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) and is a member of RAINN’s Speakers Bureau. She has a Bachelor's degree in psychology and a Master’s degree in human services. She is happily married to her husband of 38+ years and they have two adult children and four grandchildren.

L’Tomay’s Story

L’Tomay is an educator, social worker, substance abuse counselor, consultant, coach, and survivor of child sexual abuse.

L’Tomay first disclosed her abuse in a restorative justice circle for healing. She was nervous at first since her own family members didn’t believe her. She felt validated in the circle for the first time in her life since she always looked at herself as if she was missing something, and at times, not feeling like she fit in.

Katherine’s Story

Katherine Gilyard is a journalist, writer, activist, and a survivor of sexual violence. “Being a survivor feeds everything I do.”

Jerome’s Story

Jerome Whitehead is an author, husband, and survivor of multiple childhood sexual assaults. “When you’re groomed, you’re taught to keep secrets. You don’t even realize that you’re being groomed to keep secrets.”

Pierre's Story

Pierre Chambers is a leader in his church, musician, father, and survivor of child sexual abuse. He experienced child sexual abuse between the ages of 12 and 15. The perpetrator was the youth pastor at his church, a close family friend. As the choir director, the perpetrator was also a charismatic and important leader in the church. “We’ve all heard about child sexual abuse in the Catholic Church, so through my story, I want to shed light on how this also happens in other faith comunities.”

Gail's Story

Gail Gardner is a pastoral counselor, advocate, listener, writer, and survivor of sexual violence. One of the phrases Gail says she often hears from survivors is: “there was no one there for me.” After experiencing both supportive and unsupportive reactions to what happened to her, Gail knows how much of a difference it can make when someone listens and believes you. “Telling your story will be the beginning of your healing. You will see light at the end of the tunnel.”

Brian’s Story

Brian Johns was repeatedly sexually abused by a trusted older family member, starting at the age of five. Like many men and boys who are survivors of sexual abuse, Brian has faced a specific set of challenges.