Raising Our Voices

In recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month and Sexual Assault Awareness Month, this episode explores the intersection of these movements and the full spectrum of abuse, including physical, emotional, and sexual harm.Featuring Claudia Burke from Mountain Child Advocacy Center, we discuss why understanding these connections is essential to prevention and how communities can better support children and survivors.

In this episode of Raising Our Voices, Rita speaks with Our Voice Counseling Director Natalie Breit about the deep impacts of trauma and how experiences of harm can live in the body as physical sensations, emotional shifts, and neurological responses. Together, they explore why these reactions happen and how survivors can begin to gently recenter and regulate when feeling elevated or activated.

In this episode, Rita speaks with Amanda Gopal, Executive Director of The Hundred Movement, for a trauma-informed conversation centered on the lived realities of human trafficking survivors. Together, they explore why survivors often respond the way they do after exploitation, examining trauma responses and survival behaviors through a compassionate, non-judgmental lens. The discussion challenges harmful myths by reframing these responses as adaptive strategies shaped by prolonged coercion and harm, while also unpacking how trauma impacts the brain and body, disrupts safety and trust, and makes healing non-linear. Rita and Amanda reflect on what survivor-centered healing can look like, emphasizing patience, autonomy, and support systems that honor survivors’ experiences.

Human trafficking is often misunderstood. In this episode of Raising Our Voices, we break down common myths about trafficking and talk about what it actually looks like in our community.We explore the difference between sex and labor trafficking, challenge the idea that trafficking always involves kidnapping or extreme violence, and explain why many survivors are trafficked by people they know, often close to home. We also discuss the important distinction between consensual sex work and trafficking, and how communities can play a role in prevention and awareness.Disclaimer: We want to acknowledge some audio quality issues in this episode and apologize for any distractions. Thank you for sticking with us!

Rita and Mercy dive into what prevention really looks like when we center culture change in the movement to end sexual violence and human trafficking. This episode explores the conversations our society rarely has about healthy relationships, consent and boundaries, and why prevention must start long before harm occurs. Mercy brings powerful insight from her work with young people, and together they break down everyday ways to practice consent culture, challenge norms and step in as active bystanders. They also share how Our Voice approaches prevention across ages and communities, ending with an important look at human trafficking and the role we all play in building a safer future. Tune in for an inspiring and thought provoking discussion about the world we can create together.

In this episode of Raising Our Voices, Outreach Coordinator Caitrin Doyle from Helpmate joins Our Voice for a deep and thoughtful conversation about how sexual and intimate partner violence often intersect. Together, we unpack the shared roots of power and control, explore the overlapping realities of trauma and survivorship, and highlight how collaboration between advocacy organizations strengthens community response.

In this powerful opening episode of Raising Our Voices, Executive Director Rita Nugent lays the foundation for an honest conversation about sexual violence. From breaking down what it really means and challenging common myths, to exploring how individuals and communities can take action, this episode invites listeners to reflect, learn, and step into prevention together. Tune in to be inspired, informed, and reminded that everyone has a role in creating change.