She Shouldn’t Be Here… But She Is

On the Tomorrow’s Not Today podcast, Kingsley interviews Sally Jones about her lived experience of child abuse, complex PTSD, addiction risks, and the ongoing work of healing, and how she turned that trauma into a child protection education program after 20 years as a teacher. She describes gaps in school-based prevention, lack of repetition, unsustainable one-off visits, and outdated “stranger danger” messaging and argues kids need skills for real-life encounters with perpetrators, who may be family, peers, or anyone. Grounded in attachment theory, her online, interactive program teaches grooming behaviours, boundaries, and self-trust by noticing body signals, and includes “champions” (trusted adults) plus an in-program “switch” that alerts a designated school contact to support mandatory reporting. The conversation also addresses adult recognition of abuse, trauma’s effects on relationships and emotional regulation, imposter syndrome, and seeking professional help and trusted support.00:00 Trigger Warning and Reality01:29 Podcast Welcome and Purpose03:04 Why Schools Need Better Protection04:57 Attachment Theory and Safety06:21 Her Story Childhood Trauma08:15 Nursing Forensics and PTSD11:26 Choosing Change Drugs and Alcohol15:12 Moving to Australia and Healing16:55 Program Teaches Grooming and Boundaries19:35 Champions and The Safety Switch23:23 Trauma Informed Schools and Policy24:37 Adults Healing and Recognition28:03 Living With Trauma Daily29:00 Trauma Never Leaves30:55 Choosing Your Next Step31:25 One Small Action Daily32:05 Legacy And Overwhelm33:26 Beating Imposter Syndrome36:07 Trauma Informed Practice37:40 Tenacity And Setbacks39:25 Retraumatization And Memories40:26 Reach Out For Help44:20 Masking And Fear49:13 Understanding And Body Memory51:54 Create Life And Legacy