After a sexual assault, it is normal for survivors and those who support them to have difficulty putting their experiences, thoughts and feelings into words. Navigating the health care, legal, and justice systems, as well as family and community systems can be overwhelming for survivors and their allies. Each system, because of its unique aims, uses different words to address sexual violence, which may differ from the terms that survivors and their communities use to define sexual violence.

My guest today Annie Novotny published Sexual Assault A to Z with the intention to offer a brief but comprehensive guide to common terminology, statistics, and resources related to the current rape-crisis movement. It shines a light on what might otherwise be confusing for survivors and allies seeking services.

Annie herself was 15 when she experienced sexual violence. She's one of the very few who bravely took legal action against their perpetrator, and unfortunately, she's one of the majority who painfully witnessed their perpetrator walk away free of charges. Far too many women will relate to part of this conversation for my liking, yet far too many women feel like they're alone and isolated in such an experience. Left feeling at fault, shamed, broken and in many cases carrying the heavy burden of keeping it a secret. Today Annie is an artist, art therapist, and educator. She facilitates art therapy and trauma counseling in her private practice, Roots and Rays Creative Counseling.

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ANNIE NOVOTNY

Website: rootsandrayscounseling.com

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Sexual Assault A to Z: Where to Turn & How to Heal | Annie Novotny - 714

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