Our blogs are specially written by different staff members, interns, and community members in connection with our organization to showcase the passions that each of us hope to educate the community on. Each of these blogs are written with the authors own voice and style on a variety of topics surrounding sexual violence, ranging anywhere from misconceptions about sexual assault to impacts on specific communities, and even self-care in the journey of healing. Check out our latest blog issues here!
Intersection of Autism & Sexual Assault
F2F intern, Karli Wilson, discusses the often overlooked issue of neurodivergency & sexual assault.
Let’s Support Black Survivors Better
F2F intern, Linda Li, delves into some of the challenges faced by Black SV survivors & the need for intersectional feminism to create effective change.
Spotlight on Riverside Hospital: How Forensic Nursing Is Changing The Trajectory of Care for Sexual Assault Survivors
F2F interns Linda & Tracy share why care provided by forensic nurses makes all the difference for survivors of trauma.
This Form of Elder Abuse Isn’t Discussed Enough
Elder sexual abuse is underreported and misunderstood. Let’s change that.
What is Domestic Violence?
Getting Away from the Misconceptions and Understanding the Reality
Understanding The PERK
F2F intern Tracy Johnson covers all the basics you need to know before going to get a forensic exam after experiencing sexual assault.
Addressing The Red Zone: Changing College Cultures
F2F intern Rachel Thornton shares essential Red Zone safety tips for college students & parents.
Every Person Counts!
F2F COO, Kadetra Cooper, shares the power volunteers have in helping further our mission of supporting survivors & empowering communities to “Be The Change”. YOU make the difference!
The Power of Having A Good Support System
F2F intern Caroline Branch discusses the power in having the right support system around you for your healing & wellness.
Sexual Assault: Healing, Triggers, & Self-Care
F2F CEO Virginia Woodward shares how to take mental resilience steps & practice self care when triggers cause distress.
#SAAM2023 - Drawing Connections: Prevention Demand Equity
Submission by Lauren Carrasco-Kyllönen on the importance of taking a broader, more inclusive approach to SV prevention.
“Women Are” - Celebrating Women’s History Month
Submission by Isabella Notvedt about the power, courage, intelligence, & compassion of women.
Standing Tall In The Face of Adversity
Submission by Abigail Sams where she addresses the question “How do we stand tall while we are struggling?”.
“I Can” Meets “I Am”
Submission by Kadetra Cooper on shifting her self-talk & the power affirmations.
Stop the Backlog: Over 100,000 Rape Kits Gone Untested
“There are so many survivors out there who went to the police for help and endured an invasive exam after such a traumatic event, just for their kit to be sitting on a shelf...” Submission by Josie Carter on the rape kit backlog & what can be done to help resolve it.
Survivor Stories: Tina’s Story
Read about Tina’s experiences with intimate partner & sexual violence during her college years.
Identifying and Supporting Domestic Violence Survivors
Submission by Rachel Thornton on the realities of domestic & intimate partner violence as well as how you can step in to help survivors.
Mental Health Support for Hispanic and Latinx Survivors
Find resources and support services designed for Hispanic/Latinx survivors of sexual violence.
What All Students Should Know About Their Campus & Sexual Violence Before Starting College
When students are preparing to start college they're overlooking an entire topic of essential research… sexual violence.
Finding Joy Again
“So how can I possibly find my joy again when I don’t even feel like the same person?” Submission by January Serda on her struggles to cultivate joy after tragedy.
Sexual Violence Against LGBTQ+ Communities
Submission by Lauren Carrasco-Kyllönen on the unique experiences of LGBTQ+ survivors of sexual and intimate partner violence.
Sexual Abuse in the Foster Care System
Submission by Shelly Averett on the epidemic of sexual abuse occurring within the U.S. foster care system.
Survivor Stories: Honey Bear’s Story
Read the experience of Honey Bear, a survivor of sexual violence.
Rosemary Trible: In Her Own Words
Fear 2 Freedom’s Founder, Rosemary Trible, shares her survivor story and why she started Fear 2 Freedom.
The Dichotomy of Solidarity: Why “You’re Not Alone” can be both empowering and painful
Submission by Teagan Mauck discussing the complicated feelings that can come with understanding there are so many other survivors out there.
Tis the Season of Holiday Stress, Anxiety, and Depression
Submission by January Serda on dealing with difficult emotions during the holidays.
How Child Abuse Impacts Mental Health
Submission by Brooke Wallace discussing the ways child abuse can influence mental health and ten ways you can help to prevent child abuse.
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs): What are they and what can they tell us?
Submission by Shelly Averett on the research on and implications of ACEs.
Sexual Assault: The Healing Journey, Triggers & Self Care
Moving from fear to freedom is not easy for survivors when triggers decimate forward momentum. In our latest blog post F2F’s CEO shares self-care coping strategies from her personal experience that helped her move from victim to survivor, where restored joy is a possibility...
Resilience
Submission by Abby Sams on realizing the strength you have and how to harness it in difficult situations.
COVID’s Impact on Sexual Violence & Domestic Violence
Submission by Ian Doty on his research about the impact COVID 19 had on sexual and domestic violence during the 2020 pandemic year.
From Shadow to Light
Submission by Author Barbara Clark. At the age of seven, witnessing a frightening incident between her parents, Barbara spent much of her childhood toggling between the happy family she longed for and the unhappy one she couldn’t repair. Disturbed by the smell of rotting leaves and a feeling about her father, she spent half her life hoping to get to the bottom of why.
Mental Health Support for AAPI Survivors
Since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak, rates of hate crimes against AAPI communities have exploded. To AAPI survivors going through it right now, you deserve support and so much more. Here is a list of culturally relevant resources we hope can provide support and healing through these challenging times.
Digital Consent
Digital consent is a way to refer to sexual consent that happens through screens. In today’s modern age of technology, digital consent is absolutely critical.
Marty Goddard & the PERK
For Women’s History Month, we are sharing one of the unsung heroes of the sexual violence awareness and prevention world: Marty Goddard.
Survivor Stories: Beatrice’s Story
Read Beatrice’s story and her journey from fear to freedom.
What You Need to Know About Stalking
Before National Stalking Awareness Month is over, we want to tell you the basics of stalking and how you can support a survivor of stalking.
Coping with Trauma
Trauma is a reaction to a stress-inducing event. Representatives from The Center for Sexual Assault Survivors tell us what we need to know about supporting someone coping with trauma.
Indigenous Women and Sexual Violence
Learn the statistics and the additional challenges indigenous survivors of sexual violence face.
Understanding the Latest Research on Re-Victimization
A recent study illustrates new research on child sexual abuse and re-victimization.
Behind the Mask of Domestic Violence
For Domestic Violence Awareness Month, representatives from the Newport News Police Department Domestic Violence Team share information about some lesser known facts about domestic violence.
Dating Apps and Sexual Violence
More people are using dating apps to connect during this time of social distancing. Representatives from The Center for Sexual Assault Survivors have some information they want to share with us about how to support survivors who encountered their abuser online.
Advocating for a Better Future
Read about Gillian Hordusky’s experience as a college sexual assault advocate.
The Red Zone: A Parent’s Perspective
Learn what parents think about the Red Zone and how to have open and engaging conversations with college-age people.
Me Too in the Music Industry
Learn about how the #metoo movement is shaping the music industry.
Transgender People of Color and Sexual Violence
Read shocking statistics about sexual violence and this specific demographic. Content warning.
Support Services for LGBTQ Survivors
Find resources and support services designed for LGBTQ survivors of sexual violence.
Mental Health Support for Black Survivors
Find resources and support services designed for Black survivors of sexual violence.
Supporting Secondary Survivors of Sexual Violence
Learn about secondary survivors of sexual violence and what you can do to support them.
Survivor Stories: Rosemary's Story
Read our founder’s story about healing and growth.
Survivor Stories: Grace’s Story
Read the story of Grace, a young survivor of sexual violence.
Survivor Stories: Vickie's Story
Read Vickie’s story about how she found healing after her sexual assault.
Responding to Sexual Violence Disclosures: 5 Dos and Don’ts
Learn five dos and don’ts for responding to someone who has just said, “I was sexually assaulted.”
Building Healthy Relationships
What you can do to build healthy romantic, sexual, and platonic relationships in your life.
Human Trafficking: What You Can Do
Steps you can take today combatting human trafficking. Resilience