EmpowerSurvivors

03/29/2026

EmpowerSurvivors News & Closing
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In 2014, I founded the EmpowerSurvivors organization. It was during my own healing process that I realized there were limited resources for those who had experienced childhood sexual abuse and were now dealing with this unprocessed trauma in adulthood. I hoped to create a community that would bring survivors of this crime together to offer resources, a sense of safety, peer support groups, podcasts, individual coaching, and more.

Over the last 12 years, what began as a small peer group at the Stillwater Public Library has evolved into a nonprofit organization that supports individuals worldwide.

It has been such an honor to come alongside so many wonderful individuals with various backgrounds. So many stories, so many tears, but also so much healing, laughter, love, and hope.

Thank you to the survivors I have worked with throughout the years, my family, friends, our various board members who kept our mission going, our volunteers, our community, businesses, and our awesome donors! You all helped to make EmpowerSurvivors a place for so many to find safe spaces of healing.
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After 12 years, our board and I have decided to close our nonprofit effective June 2026. This was not an easy decision by any stretch of the imagination. We know for many this will be hard, and we do not take this lightly. I am encouraged to know that more than ever before, there are more resources for survivors. Still not as many as I would like, but to see peer support and other resources grow is amazing.
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For me, I will be hanging my hat up for a bit, but I won’t be going far! I will be continuing work at a local retreat center for men, working on some writing projects, and dabbling more in photography, and of course, possibly doing short-term projects that aid in the healing of those who continue to heal from the crime and trauma of childhood sexual abuse.
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Thank you all for allowing me to be a part of your stories, for continuing your journeys, and for showing me the strength found in all of you. Your past does not define you; you were never responsible for the harm done to you, and you are worthy of much. Continue breaking your silence, healing, being kind to yourself and others, and trust the process. The healing journey can be hard with a lot of twists and turns, but you are worth it!
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Have a great weekend and keep healing,
Elizabeth

03/10/2026

Great resource!

ROCK THE TALK! Learn how to protect children from sexual abuse with our Parent Guide!

https://www.themamabeareffect.org/shop/rock-the-talk-r-parent-pack-511?page=3 =140

03/10/2026

We’re excited to share that we’ve begun a Women’s Support Group!

Interested folks, Visit our website to join the interest list, https://www.sexualviolencecenter.org/get-educated/support-groups

03/07/2026

Check out 5WAVES for more information about this upcoming conference!

We are honored to welcome Chase Henry, Certified Peer Specialist (he/him/his) as a speaker at the Sibling Se/ual Trauma and Abuse: Breaking the Silence Conference, the first in-person conference in the United States devoted entirely to sibling se/ual trauma and abuse, a gathering for people ready for honest conversation, real understanding, and meaningful change.

In this deeply personal session, Chase shares his lived experience of surviving sibling se/ual trauma and the long, nonlinear path toward recovery, growth, and hope. Reflecting on his childhood, he will highlight moments when opportunities for intervention were missed and discuss factors that can increase vulnerability to abuse, offering insight into how earlier recognition might change outcomes for children today.

Chase will then explore his own healing journey, emphasizing the role of connection at multiple levels — from close relationships to online survivor communities and the broader local community. He will speak openly about reducing shame and secrecy through therapy and disclosure, accepting memory as an imperfect record, and learning that not remembering every detail does not invalidate one’s experience.
Chase will discuss reclaiming personal interests, self-determination, and the importance of defining recovery on one’s own terms rather than through external expectations. Grounded in peer-support principles and self-compassion, this presentation offers an honest example of how healing can unfold through connection, acceptance, and the courage to live fully beyond trauma.

If you’ve been waiting for a space where this topic is addressed with care and lived-experience, this is it.
🎟️ Early bird tickets are available now, and space is limited.
Secure your spot before prices increase on April 1st.
👉 5WAVES.org/conference
We expect this event to sell out.
If you’re considering attending, this is the time to register.
Breaking the silence begins with showing up. This event is open to survivors, parents, professionals, and allies. One day can shift an entire perspective.

03/07/2026

This month, The Bristlecone Project once again brings you new voices of courageous men coming forward to share powerful survival stories.

Thomas Edward discusses the stigma of sexual abuse within the Black community, the guiding light of his mother's love, and his life-changing work with a support group, while Brian Cardoza opens up about redefining his experience, taking back his power, and building community. Watch at 1in6.org/male-survivor-stories/

We also have a new profile from Tim Herwig, survivor of abuse at the hands of a teacher, and his full video series recorded as part of Zero Abuse Project's SurvivorSpace. See Tim's profile at 1in6.org/survivor-stories-men/tim-herwig/

02/13/2026

********* TRIGGER WARNING*********

Interview with Pedophile/Father
Dr Kirk Honda interviews a pe*****le and father.
For more information on non-offending pe*****les: virped.org and mapsupport.club and mapresources.info.
Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussions of child sexual abuse. If necessary, listeners are encouraged to refrain from listening and care for their safety and well-being.
Disclaimer: This podcast episode features an interview with an individual discussing their personal experiences. After consulting with legal counsel, we have determined that the content of this episode does not present any foreseeable risk to children. The interviewee is a non-offending individual who has appropriate support systems in place and is committed to managing their behavior responsibly. Please note that the views expressed in this interview are those of the individual and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the podcast or its producers.
https://youtu.be/g6_dDkK_BK8?si=Ulp12xYa2fmjT9Df

Interview with Pedophile/FatherDr Kirk Honda interviews a pe*****le and father. For more information on non-offending pe*****les: virped.org and mapsupport.c...

02/13/2026

https://youtu.be/P2yyqKCqpHE?si=DvC38-w9rFU4WsV5
Recording of live webinar event on April 2, 2020.
Description:
When a youth’s sexual behavior is harmful to a younger child, parents and professionals alike can struggle to address these behaviors. Pathologizing or criminalizing these behaviors, while sometimes appropriate and necessary, can also obstruct parents’ engagement and understanding of how to support and help their child. The concerns and needs are multifaceted - from dealing with one’s own reactions to a young person’s harmful sexual behaviors to advocating for a youth in both legal and therapeutic arenas. We’ll share letters from parents worried about their child’s harmful sexual behaviors as a way to address some of the confusion and concerns about youth with sexually abusive behavior, and share information and strategies about accessing appropriate help and being an engaged parent. Guest expert, Becky Palmer, MS will join us to help us learn more about youth who sexually harm others and how we can help them. This webinar will primarily focus on youth of age 13 and older.

Recording of live webinar event on April 2, 2020. Description: When a youth’s sexual behavior is harmful to a younger child, parents and professionals alike ...

02/13/2026

If you ride, then ride with a cause. Reach out to Granite City Chapter for more info.

02/13/2026

** Content Warning: This episode discusses childhood sexual abuse. Resources and support information are provided.** One in eight children worldwide will experience sexual abuse before age 18. In the United States, one in four girls and one in six boys will be sexually abused before reaching adultho...

02/13/2026

Registration for the 2026 National Conference on Domestic Violence is now open!

This year’s theme, “Amplifying Hope: Together Toward Tomorrow,” recognizes the hope we all have for a safer world and encourages all of us to work together to achieve it. Join over 700 passionate individuals and leaders from around the globe for three inspiring days of community, education, and enriching discussions!

Early bird 1 registration rates end March 20th, so secure your spot today! https://bit.ly/3WnxueL

02/13/2026

We’re coming together to have the conversations that matter.

In partnership between The Resilience Learning Community and with Dr. Pamela Pine and Institute on Violence, Abuse and Trauma, we invite you to join the Stop the Silence Book Study — a powerful learning experience for educators, clinicians, advocates, and community leaders committed to protecting children and strengthening trauma-informed prevention.

📘 Begins: March 5th
🗓 Format: One session per week for six weeks
💲 Investment: $60 for the full series
🌍 Open to participants worldwide

This is more than a book study.
It’s a guided space to deepen understanding, build shared language, and move from awareness to action in preventing child abuse.

If you work with children, families, or communities — this conversation belongs to you.

👉 Sign up at:
🔗 tinyurl.com/communitybookstudy

Let’s learn.
Let’s lead.
Let’s break the silence — together.