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Faces of Mosaic Georgia

Marina Sampanes Peed 
Executive Director

Fun Fact: Marina performed a stand-up set at The Punchline in Atlanta many moons ago. 

Marina Peed has served as the Executive Director/CEO of Mosaic Georgia for the past seven years. She began with the organization in 1992 as a volunteer crisis advocate for the Gwinnett Rape Crisis Center. Embracing the pioneering spirit of her predecessors, she innovates and strengthens community responses to sexualized violence. Marina credits Mosaic Georgia’s success to its dedicated team, whose diverse expertise and cultural backgrounds reflect Gwinnett County, with staff speaking eight languages. 

Known for advocacy, Marina highlights the intersections of gender-based violence, societal stigma, health disparities, justice inequities, and economic challenges. Her monthly column, “Someone’s Gotta Say It,” in Mosaic’s Tesserae newsletter raises awareness of critical topics impacting personal safety. 

Marina is active with the Gwinnett Child Fatality Review Committee & oversees Mosaic Georgia’s roles in Gwinnett and Rockdale counties’ Child Abuse & Sexual Assault Protocols. She also serves on the State Expert Committee on Sexual Assault & the Georgia Human Trafficking Task Force. 

Lindsay W. Ferreira 
Deputy Director

Fun Fact: Most people don’t know that Lindsay used to be a ballroom dancer!

Lindsay W. Ferreira serves as the Deputy Director and a Forensic Interviewer for Mosaic Georgia, a non-profit organization located in Duluth, Georgia providing comprehensive forensic medical exams, advocacy, counseling and legal services to victims of sexualized violence and child abuse. She began this work in 2011 as an advocate providing direct-victim advocacy services and now serves as the Deputy Director. As the Deputy Director, Lindsay is responsible for the administration oversight of all programs, oversees operational systems, processes and policies to enhance management reporting, information flow, communication and outcomes and ensures human resources documentation is maintained and current across departments. She also provides on-going education specific to advocacy and forensic interviews for law enforcement, members of the justice system, the community and advocates. During the pandemic, Lindsay assisted in Mosaic Georgia’s growth of the organizations healing services by expanding its legal department as well as it’s mental health and wellness services to the community.

Lindsay received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Brenau University in Gainesville, GA and her Masters in Psychology with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis from Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, AL.   

Aimee Castaneda
Bilingual Advocacy Specialist

Fun Fact: My life’s goal is to travel; I especially want to go to Italy (waiting for my future Italian husband to whisk me away). So far, I have been to Puerto Rico, Colorado, Hawaii, Florida, and Mexico. I’ve also gathered those collectible license plates from each state.

Aimee was born and raised in Georgia and visits family in Mexico twice a year or so. Her past experiences and those of friends and family are what drew her to this work. Helping even one person through a traumatic experience is what speaks to her the most. Aimee began her career in the industry as a volunteer advocate, then became part of the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART), and eventually was offered an opportunity to work full time as an advocate. Her loves are indulging her sweet tooth with delicious pastries and desserts, reading manhwa and romance books (a great pick-me-up when she’s feeling down or stressed), watching scary shows and movies, listening to podcasts about peoples’ supernatural experiences, and spoiling her nieces a bunch!

Kendall Clayton
Mental Health and Wellness Manager

Fun fact: Kendall once got stuck on a train in Italy and missed her destination. Thankfully, any destination in Italy is desirable.

Kendall Clayton, LPC moved to Georgia and joined our staff in October 2022. Prior to joining Mosaic, she worked as the Center Director of a nonprofit organization in New Orleans that served individuals experiencing homelessness, struggling with addiction, and recovering from trafficking. She has her Masters of Arts in Counseling with a specialization in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She is currently working on her PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision. Kendall comes to Mosaic with first hand experience of what it is like to be a client at a Child Advocacy Center. As a Licensed Professional Counselor, Kendall is trained in both Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), and Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI). Kendall loves all things coffee and reading a good book.

Carol Huffstetler
Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE)

Fun Fact: A cool fun fact about me is I love huskies! My family currently has four huskies Herbert, Walter, Miguel, and Earl. Additionally, we have 3 other dogs Cesar, Bella, and Niko. So 28 feet!! 

Carol recently joined Mosaic Georgia as a SANE and a trauma nurse at Grady Memorial Hospital. Her work as an RN has always been patient centered, and she holds several trauma and critical care certifications. Since coming on board this summer, Carol has enjoyed working with Mosaic’s clients; she utilizes trauma-informed care with every individual. She is passionate about serving the undeserved and marginalized communities around her. Supporting those most in need allows her to make a difference as a nurse in addition to becoming part of a survivor’s journey in healing. When she is not at work, odds are you can find her taking a nap with her dogs or doing something creative with art supplies. But really, she loves a good nap.

Larisa Hanger
Counselor/Therapist

Fun Fact: Larisa got a perfect score on the Reading and Writing section of the SAT!

Larisa is an Associate Professional Counselor, National Certified Counselor, and EMDR Trained Counselor. She’s also a Member of the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation. Larisa previously worked at another Child Advocacy Center and a high-acuity Intensive Outpatient Program. She’s passionate about working with Child Sexual Abuse, Dissociative Identity Disorder and other Dissociative Disorders, Suicidal Ideation, Non-Suicidal Self Injury, Eating Disorders, and Chronic Fatigue. In her therapeutic work, she incorporates EMDR, TF-CBT, Somatic Therapy, Parts Work, Sand Tray, and various other modalities. Larisa feels passionate about providing culturally sensitive care for clients from diverse backgrounds who have been historically underserved, and she enjoys incorporating art and creativity into the healing process. She’s also Health At Every Size (HAES) Informed. When she’s not working, Larisa can be found spending time with her 115 lb Great Pyrenees and friends, researching mental health-related topics, reading a book, and/ or sipping a mocha.

Erica Legons
Counselor/Therapist

Fun fact: Erica and her husband collect coffee mugs and vinyl records each time they visit a new state!

Erica joined the wonderful Mosaic Georgia Mental Health and Wellness team as a counselor/therapist in June 2024. She holds a master’s degree in clinical Mental Health Counseling from Mercer University and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Kennesaw State University. Erica has also had the honor of serving in the US Air Force (Aim high…fly-fight-win!) prior to starting her career in counseling.

Erica is passionate about helping to support the needs of children and families within marginalized communities, focusing on empowerment and holistic care. With extensive experience working with children, teens, and families in community mental health settings, she has provided individual, family, and group therapy to clients presenting with various mental health concerns and psychosocial stressors, including serious and persistent mental illness, complex trauma, and school behavioral challenges.

Lanie George
Executive Administrator

Fun Fact: Lanie has a sharp whistle that can be heard from a very long distance!
 
Lanie has worked in the nonprofit sector for the past two decades and finds great joy in helping others. Driven by a deep desire to help people see their value and worth, she founded and ran a home for women survivors of human trafficking in North Carolina before moving to Georgia. Lanie is grateful to bring this incredible professional and personal experience to Mosaic Georgia in an Executive Admin role where she works closely with the organization’s leaders to support the many operations efforts that make Mosaic a safe and supportive space for survivors.    

 A perfect day for Lanie would be lounging on a tropical beach with her hubby, a good book in hand, soaking up the sun and listening to the serenity of the ocean waves. 

Sarah Marin
Wholeness Collective Coordinator

Fun Fact: Sarah is your friendly neighborhood cat lady. She has 6 fur babies of her own, but is always feeding strays, fostering and trying to capture parking lot dumpster kitties. If you’re looking for a feline friend, just ask her!

Sarah’s passion for helping others, especially underserved communities, fuels her career in supporting survivors of trauma. With a BA in Psychology and Education, she brings valuable experience from her previous role as a Campus Advocate at a Sexual Assault Center, coordinating outreach programs, developing resources, and directly supporting survivors across 11 college campuses. Her work extended to assisting human trafficking victims and assisting/facilitating healing groups, particularly through art.

Sarah joins Mosaic excited to create a safe space for survivors to explore long-term healing through various avenues including art, music, movement, and nature. Fostering a mind-body connection, her goal is to empower them on their personal healing journey where they can find their individual, unique paths to resilience and well-being. She is passionate about inspiring their healing through the things that they love.

Her mission is to provide a safe haven for those impacted by trauma, fostering lasting change within the community. Sarah is now pursuing her Master’s in Counseling and is thrilled to join Mosaic’s incredible team, a one-stop shop for survivors seeking comprehensive support.

Maria Ortiz
Counselor/Therapist

Fun Fact: Maria is obsessed with the Twilight Saga and became a huge Paramore fan because of it.

Hola! My name is Maria Ortiz and I am a bilingual counselor/therapist at Mosaic GA. I earned my bachelor’s degree in psychology at Georgia State University and dedicated most of my time to working on research studies in the Gesture and Language, and Child Health and Medical Pain (CHAMP) Labs. The studies I participated in analyzed gesture & language in bilingual children and families, and how pediatric patients with chronic illness perceived/coped with their illness including how it affected their health outcomes. My passion for clinical research and care led me to pursue higher education. I earned my Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Mercer University. While working towards my degree, I worked in the behavioral/mental health department at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA) coordinating care for acute pediatric patients.

My clinical experience includes working with children on the autism spectrum, those with feeding and eating disorders, suicidal patients, and trauma survivors. As a first generation American with Honduran background, I enjoy being able to provide clinical services in Spanish. One of my professional missions is to support and educate Latinx families about mental health and wellness.

Rachel Pearson
Advocacy Specialist & Volunteer Coordinator

Fun Fact: Rachel wrote an essay for a writing contest at her university and won! Her essay is published in her university’s literary magazine.

Rachel received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Human Services Delivery and Administration from the University of North Georgia. Before joining the team at Mosaic Georgia, Rachel was an advocate at a domestic violence shelter which enabled her to gain valuable insight on the work of non-profits catered towards ensuring the safety and justice of victims of family violence. Rachel started last July as an Advocacy Specialist and has recently taken on the role of Volunteer Coordinator as well. She is incredibly proud and grateful to work for an organization whose mission is focused on believing and empowering all victims of sexual assault, providing them with lasting resources, and working alongside law enforcement and other agencies to ensure justice.

Adina Becerra
Bilingual Advocacy Specialist

Fun Fact: Adina comes from Transilvania, the place where vampires are said to come from.

Adina grew up in Romania and earned her bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of Bucharest. Her thesis “Stalking on College Campuses” was published in the National Journal of Criminology, Forensics and Penology. She has a proclivity for foreign languages, being fluent in four (Italian, English, Spanish and Romanian). Her first summer job was as an Italian interpreter in High School for private Italian tourists visiting Romania. After interning in probation and conducting research in the Romanian prisons, Adina came to Atlanta and became a National Credential Advocate to better serve her community. Before coming to Mosaic, she volunteered for Dekalb CASA for 10 years, IRC and Day League before joining the Dekalb Solicitor General’s Office as a Victim Advocate in 2022.

Mairah Teli
Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Youth (CSEC) Advocate and MDT Coordinator

Fun fact: Mairah’s average typing speed is 72 words per minute

Mairah Teli serves as the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Youth (CSEC) Advocate and MDT Coordinator at Mosaic Georgia. Mairah received her bachelor’s in English Education from the University of Georgia. After teaching in the Gwinnett County Public School system as a high school Language Arts teacher, she shifted her focus to social work and earned her Master’s of Social Work. Mairah worked within the nonprofit sector and has served in a variety of roles with a focus on victim services, trauma informed care, crisis intervention, and strengthening families. She is currently an LMSW and works with children and adolescents who have experienced human trafficking by providing crisis intervention, case management, and advocacy. Mairah is also an active member of the Georgia Statewide Human Trafficking Task Force. Outside of work, Mairah is passionate about community service and youth development. She leads a youth group program for adolescent girls, facilitates support groups, and leads a range of trainings on child abuse prevention and mental health in her local community.  

Ken Moua
IT & Data Administrator

Fun Fact: Ken serves in his church as the Media Director and has been serving since he was 13 years old where he played the acoustic and electric guitar.

Ken was born and raised here in Atlanta, Georgia. He is a first generation Hmong American and first generation college graduate. He graduated from Georgia Gwinnett College with a Bachelors in Information Technology. Outside his professional life, he loves his church and has the passion to serve his local community. He now works as Mosaic Georgia’s IT and Data Administrator where he handles all things technical and database-related.

Sara Longwell
Bilingual Legal Advocate/Navigator

Fun Fact: Sara loves horror movies, crafting, and building Legos with her family.

Sara Longwell is a Bilingual Legal Advocate/Navigator at Mosaic Georgia who works with victims of sexual assault to understand criminal and civil legal procedures, apply for Crime Victims’ Compensation, and find the resources they need. Sara believes that empowering survivors of sexual violence to make their own legal decisions on their own terms through education, the right resources, and compassion helps them build courage and confidence and to have authority over their lives.
Sara is Spanish/English bilingual, a certified paralegal, victim advocate, and crisis counselor. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Agnes Scott College and a master’s degree in Music Therapy and Music Education from the University of Georgia.

Esther Ko
Bilingual Victim Assistance Attorney

Fun Fact: Esther has a bunny named Bomi and a dog named Silver (they do not like each other).

Esther is a first-generation college and first-generation law school graduate. Esther attended the University of Georgia and Atlanta’s John Marshall School of Law. She has a passion to serve the public interest and fights for equal access to justice. In her free time, Esther enjoys volunteering at her local Korean community center to help with translation and other related services for those in need.
Esther started at Mosaic Georgia in August of 2023 and is excited to continue to serve in her role as Bilingual Victim Assistance Attorney.

Susan Nerenbaum
Marketing & Communications Specialist

Fun Fact: Susan is a devoted animal enthusiast.Dogs are her favorite, with cats running at a very close second!

Susan is a proud alumna of Georgia Gwinnett College, where she earned her Bachelor’s in Business Administration with a focus on Marketing in May 2022. Her journey into the world of nonprofit marketing took its first steps when she became a Marketing and Outreach Intern at Mosaic Georgia. Driven by her unwavering commitment to effecting positive change, she smoothly transitioned into the role of Marketing and Communications Specialist at Mosaic after successfully completing her degree. Susan’s dedication is rooted in her aspiration to create a safer world for everyone. Beyond her professional pursuits, Susan’s heart beats for the great outdoors and having an active lifestyle. You’ll often find her hiking through nature trails, embracing the tranquility of the natural world, or eagerly venturing into new experiences.

Amanda Makrogianis Mickelsen
Marketing Strategist & Project Manager

Fun Fact: Amanda got a job working at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics after graduating from the University of Massachusetts – then after 15 years living in Southern CA – ended up right back in Atlanta in 2013 due to a documentary film her husband was making. The ATL always comes a callin!

Amanda feels lucky to have landed as a consultant at Mosaic Georgia where she works copywriting and project managing marketing initiatives and strategy. After gathering many years of account management experience in the corporate sector, Amanda put a focus towards her personal passion of health and wellness as a Wellness Consultant, and later a Chopra Certified Instructor, teaching meditation and the benefits of holistic health and yoga at the Chopra Center for Wellbeing in CA. She currently teaches at Southwest Atlanta Yoga studio. Amanda feels passionate about serving the collective and contributing to a more just and humane world. She has served as Board President at the Doc B Cares, Inc. program and volunteers with various Atlanta organizations such as the King Center.

Amanda enjoys traveling, reading, meditation, the quiet of nature, cooking (when the mood strikes!) with her young son, swimming, and exploring new ideas. Oh, and she will soon-to-be enjoying RVing with her family!

Vanessa Zavaleta-Beltran
Client Experience Specialist

Fun Fact: Vanessa is the first one to graduate from her mom’s side of the family!

Vanessa graduated from Georgia State University with a bachelor’s in criminal justice with a concentration in criminology and a minor in psychology in 2022. She spent time interning at Forever Family which is a nonprofit organization that focuses on helping at-risk youth. She began her journey at Mosaic Georgia in June 2022.

Danny Fernandez
Schedule and Intake Coordinator

Fun fact: Danny worked with capuchins and orangutans; the primary focus of his psychology degree was primate behavior. He also plays guitar in a band. 

Danny started with Mosaic Georgia during the summer of 2020 as a Client Experience Specialist. He has subsequently been promoted to Schedule and Intake Coordinator. Prior to joining Mosaic, he was working as a bar manager and beverage director in Atlanta. The pandemic encouraged him to change his life’s trajectory to become more aligned with community engagement. He had previously worked at The Ronald E. McNair Program from 2012-2014, an organization that assists first-generation college students matriculate to their PHD’s. Danny received his Bachelor of Science in psychology from Georgia State University in 2012.

Maryam Jordan
Professional Education & Training Services

Fun Fact: Maryam has been to five continents so far, but still wants to see and experience more of our world! 

Maryam Jordan manages Mosaic Georgia’s Professional Education and Training Services and has been with the organization since September 2019. She provides educational programs for medical professionals, law enforcement, educators, and other community members who may interact with victims of sexual assault. Maryam also manages outreach and community engagement efforts, where she draws from her experience working with people from various cultures. She is energized when she is able to go out into the community and educate about sexual assault awareness and prevention, especially to young people. Maryam earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Foreign Service from Georgetown University. Prior to joining the team, she worked in the international affairs arena where she lived, worked and traveled abroad and conducted training and educational programs for volunteers and members of an international non-profit organization. Maryam is a native Atlantan and moved to Gwinnett County over 10 years ago with her husband and three children. In her free time, she enjoys “getting outdoors” and hiking in the North Georgia mountains with family and friends.

Marilucia Munoz
Bilingual Advocacy Specialist

Fun Fact: Mari loves to read true crime books. 
 
Mari Munoz is a first generation American with family origins in Mexico and Honduras. She graduated from the University of North Georgia with a Bachelors in Human Services Delivery and Administration in 2022. While getting her Associate’s degree, she discovered a strong interest in helping people of all sorts and in various ways. Her years of studying included multiple internships; the last one was with the DA’s office. In her time there it became clear that she wanted to become an advocate and help survivors during their process in the legal system. Mari started at Mosaic Georgia as a Bilingual Advocate in July of 2022.

Helen Cha-Choe
Director, Advocacy & Forensic Interviews

Fun fact: Helen played tennis in high school and recently rediscovered her love for the sport.

Helen is the Forensic Interview Manager at Mosaic Georgia.  Prior to joining our team in July 2018, Helen worked with the Asian American and immigrant communities and provided immigration legal and educational services, as well as legal advocacy to victims of domestic violence at non-profits in the Metro Atlanta Area and has also counseled high school students at a non-profit in the San Francisco Bay Area. She has always had a strong commitment to public service, previously working as a federal government attorney for over twelve years in New York and Washington, D.C.  Helen received her Bachelor of Science degree from Georgetown University, her J.D. from the University of Hawaii School of Law, and her Master’s in Counseling Psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies.  Raised in Hawai’i, she brings the “aloha spirit” to Georgia and has made Fulton County her home with her family.

Jessica McGinnis
Advocacy Specialist, Forensic Interviewer, & SART Coordinator

Fun Fact: Jessica was the creative inspiration and driving force behind the beautiful painted “mosaic” design currently covering a picnic table at Ironshield Brewing’s Biergarten in Lawrenceville.

Jessica currently works as an Advocacy Specialist, Forensic Interviewer and SART Coordinator at Mosaic Georgia. She devotes her time to serving victims of all ages. She completed the ChildFirst Forensic Interview Training in March 2022. Her graduate studies were completed at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia. She earned her Master’s in Social Work (MSW) in May 2018. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of North Georgia in Dahlonega, GA in December 2015 where she received a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice with a Forensics Concentration. Jessica completed the Gwinnett Young Professionals Journey Program in April 2023. She also is a recipient of the 1PowerHouse Unsung Hero Award.

Jaime Albright
Part-Time Forensic Interviewer & Advocate

Fun fact: Jamie has a fear of heights and overcame it by going cliff jumping and parasailing.

Jaime serves as a part-time Forensic Interviewer and Advocate. Jaime’s interest in serving children was sparked through volunteerism. She began her work at Mosaic Georgia in February 2014 as a volunteer Victim Advocate and moved into the role of SART Coordinator in 2015. Jaime earned her Bachelor of Sociology from Kennesaw State University in 2013 and earned her Master of Social Work from Valdosta State University in May 2018. Jaime was born and raised in California. She resides in Alpharetta with her husband and children. She enjoys writing and producing podcasts, yoga, serving on mission trips, and spending time with her family.

Maria Herrera
Bilingual Forensic Interviewer and Advocate

Fun Fact: If you catch Maria watching TV it will most likely be The Office, and in her free time you might see her shooting some hoops.

From Atlanta, GA, Maria is of Mexican descent and is bilingual in Spanish and English. Maria received her bachelor’s in Criminal Justice from Georgia State University and is currently working on her Master’s in Public Administration at Kennesaw State University. Before Joining the Mosaic team, she worked at the Douglas County Task Force for almost three years as a Legal Services Coordinator, then as a Bilingual Forensic Interviewer. She joined Mosaic Georgia in March of 2022. Maria is passionate about serving her community and giving survivors a place to feel heard.

Charmaine Hayes
Part-Time Bilingual Forensic Interviewer & Advocate

Fun fact: Charmaine lived a year in Miami, Fl. with a Brazilian group who only spoke Portuguese so by default had to learn the Portuguese language!

Charmaine is of Cuban and Mexican descent and originally hails from New Orleans, Lousiana. In 2004, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Georgia State University and is currently perusing a Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Liberty University. Charmaine spent many years working with Boys and Girls Clubs of Atlanta as a Program Director then transitioned to Emdeon as a Bilingual Healthcare Representative. Over the last 10 years she has operated her own business in the real estate market. Charmaine joined Mosaic in March 2023 and is passionate about supporting victims of sexual assault.

Rebeca Ruelas
Part-Time Forensic Interviewer

Fun Fact: Rebeca loves dancing to music, going to museums and finds joy in hearing and sharing jokes.

Rebeca Ruelas is part time Forensic Interviewer for Mosaic Georgia. Additionally, she is involved with a start-up app company focused on teenagers mental health. With over 10 years of experience in the field of social services, she has dedicated her career to working with victims, survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and advocating for children’s rights. Throughout her journey, she has worked at various centers specifically focused on addressing these issues, providing crucial support and resources to those in need. In addition to her professional work, she is an active volunteer for a local Hispanic non-profit in Georgia working tirelessly to raise awareness and support these communities. In 2017, she graduated from the University of North Georgia with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration.

Melissa Drinkard
Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE)

Fun fact: I love to mountain bike in my free time. 
 
Melissa earned her nursing degree from Georgia Perimeter College in 2015 and began her career as an Emergency Room Nurse. From there, she discovered her passion for helping individuals that have been victims of sexual violence. Melissa became a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner at the beginning of 2022 and began her journey as an on-call SANE at LiveSafe Resources in Marietta. Melissa Joined the Mosaic Georgia team in July 2022 as a full-time SANE where she gets to pour all of her dedication into the care of her patients.

Teresa Bullard
Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE)

Fun Fact: Teresa met her husband on the school bus freshman year and they won cutest couple for senior superlatives. (Not sure it gets any sweeter than that.)

Teresa earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of South Florida in Tampa and worked in Mother Baby at NSH for 17 years. She first worked with Mosaic Georgia as an on call SANE and is now a full-time member of the staff. Teresa feels passionate about getting age-appropriate, sex positive inclusive sex education into our schools. She is very involved in her church’s outreach and advocacy for LGBTQ+ individuals and participates with the Atlanta area Lutheran church to support the Atlanta Pride Parade and Festival.

Read More

Healing Across Cultural Lines: AAPI Heritage Month and the Journey Toward Inclusive Sexual Assault Awareness 

Compiled/Co-authored by:

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Esther Ko
Managing Attorney

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Amanda Makrogianis Mickelsen
Marketing Project Manager

Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month offers a vital opportunity to address sexual assault within AAPI communities, where cultural stigmas and immigration status often create additional barriers to reporting and seeking help. Many AAPI survivors face unique challenges, including language barriers, fear of bringing shame to their families, and distrust of systems that have historically failed to provide culturally responsive care. These intersecting factors contribute to the underreporting of sexual violence in AAPI communities, making dedicated advocacy and culturally-specific resources essential components of effective support systems.  

By recognizing these distinct challenges during AAPI Heritage Month, we can promote healing-centered approaches that honor diverse cultural contexts while working toward more inclusive sexual assault prevention and response. This commemoration reminds us that effective awareness must acknowledge how cultural identity shapes survivors’ experiences and pathways to healing. 

Mosaic Georgia has partnered with various organizations within the Asian community to drive discussion, educate, and collaborate.  

In a significant cross-cultural exchange, Mosaic Georgia recently welcomed lawyers from Seoul National University School of Law to discuss approaches to supporting sexual assault survivors. The visit illuminated stark contrasts in reporting processes, with Korean survivors facing additional hurdles such as requirements for detailed written statements before police investigations can proceed. This collaboration highlighted how cultural and systemic barriers create universal challenges for survivors seeking justice, while offering both parties valuable insights into developing more trauma-informed approaches that could be implemented across continents. 

 

Mosaic Georgia’s outreach to parents and caregivers at the Korean Parent Association Seminar at
Northview High School addressed growing concerns about children’s safety in the digital age. The seminar covered critical topics including family violence, sexual violence, and child sexual abuse, while providing practical information on protective orders, divorce proceedings, and crime reporting. Discussions centered on how deeply embedded cultural norms—particularly around shame—can prevent survivors from seeking help and accessing justice, emphasizing the need for culturally sensitive support services within AAPI communities.

 

 

Teen dating violence education was the focus of another impactful event where Mosaic Georgia
staff educated Korean teenagers about 
their rights under Title IX, consent concepts, recognizing dating violence, and reporting options. The interactive session revealed emerging trends in technology-facilitated abuse affecting young survivors. Participants openly discussed the unique social pressures that prevent teen survivors from coming forward, including peer pressure, bullying, and fears about social ostracism—challenges that are often amplified within tight-knit cultural communities. 

 

 

Recognizing the influential role of faith leaders, Mosaic Georgia conducted a comprehensive
Korean Pastor Training Seminar for 50-60 pastors on family violence, sexual violence, and child sexual abuse. Staff attorney Esther provided crucial education on mandatory reporting laws, reporting procedures, and appropriate responses to disclosures involving children, elders, and adults with disabilities. This engagement acknowledged the pivotal role spiritual communities often play in survivors’ healing journeys and emphasized the importance of creating safe spaces within faith contexts where cultural sensitivities are understood and respected.

Read More

Healing Isn’t Linear: What Mental Health Looks Like After Trauma 

A Reflection for Mental Health Awareness Month by survivor Jacque Riley & Sarah Marin, Wholeness Collective Coordinator

Introduction: Honoring the Realities of Healing

May is Mental Health Awareness Month: a time to honor the truth behind the word “healing.” For many survivors of trauma, healing doesn’t look like what people imagine. It’s not always progress and peace. It doesn’t follow a straight path. It stumbles. It circles back. It rests. It climbs. And still—it moves. 

This piece is a collaboration between survivor Jacque and myself- written together to reflect what healing actually looks like after trauma. Not the polished, picture-perfect version people often expect, but the real, messy, powerful journey that unfolds when someone chooses to survive, again and again. 

 

About the Healing Journey (Jacque) 

When I think about my healing journey, the word that comes to mind is grateful. Not because it’s been easy, but because I’m proud of myself. I am proud I chose to ask for help, even when it scared me. That first step was terrifying, but I took it anyway. 

When I picture my healing journey, I see a butterfly. I started off in caterpillar mode—rough, hidden, unsure of myself. I didn’t know what I would become. But now, I’ve blossomed into a beautiful butterfly. I still have days where I feel like I’m crawling again, but I know I’ve grown. 

 

Healing Isn’t a Race (Jacque) 

There was a time I believed I should already be over it. Since my abuse happened so long ago, I often think that I should be completely healed and further in my healing journey. But my therapist has helped me realize that it is not a race, and my healing journey does not have a timer on it. That reminder changed everything. 

For so long, I felt like I was failing at healing. Like there was a deadline I had missed. I’d catch myself thinking things like, “Why am I still struggling?” or “Other people seem to move on so much faster, what’s wrong with me?” But the truth is, there is no finish line. There is no universal timeline. 

Do you ever feel like people expect you to be “over it”? How do you handle those moments?
Yes, I have had my own family tell me that this trauma should not affect me 20 years later. But I remind them: I was nine years old when the abuse began. I didn’t have the tools, the words, or the support to process it then. I’m only now learning how to heal, and that’s valid. When those kinds of comments come up, I try to use them as an opportunity to educate. I remind people that everyone’s healing journey is different. No one gets to decide how long someone should hurt, or when they should be “over it.” 

 

Why do we give ourselves a timeline? (Sarah) 

This feeling is incredibly common. Many survivors believe that because time has passed, their pain should have passed too. But trauma doesn’t move on just because the calendar does. 

Healing isn’t a race. There’s no gold medal for getting through it faster. In fact, rushing can lead to avoidance, disconnection, or even re-traumatization. True healing happens slowly, at the pace your nervous system, your memories, and your sense of safety allow. 

Some days may feel like huge steps forward. Others may feel like you’ve taken five steps back. Both are part of the journey. And neither mean that you’re doing it wrong. 

 

The Ups and Downs of Healing (Jacque) 

I’ve had moments where I felt like I was making real progress. I was sleeping better. I was smiling more. And then, out of nowhere, the nightmares would come back. The memories. The shame. I’d shut down. I’d lash out. I’d go into survival mode like I used to. And every time, I’d think, “Why am I back here again?” 

But I’ve learned to respond differently now. I breathe. I pray. I put on gospel music. I take a walk. I remind myself: I am safe now. That phrase has become my anchor. 

I remember when the hard days meant putting my phone on Do Not Disturb, isolating myself, and spiraling into negative thoughts until I gave myself a migraine. I’d lie there with it all bottled up inside. Now, I picture the beach, my safe place. I talk to my therapist. I check in with my pastor. I lean on my support group sisters. 

I don’t carry it all alone anymore. And that, more than anything, is what healing has taught me: I don’t have to do this by myself.
 

Asking for Help: A Turning Point (Jacque) 

I first asked for help when I was a child, but like so many other African American survivors, I was silenced. I told my mother what had happened, and she didn’t believe me. Later, in grade school, I wrote a school assignment called The Man Sneaking Into My Bedroom, describing the worst thing I had ever experienced. My teacher read it and was brought to tears. He did what he was supposed to and reported it to the school guidance counselor and the resource officer. A caseworker from foster care came to the school and pulled me out of class. My mother was there too. I remember her looking at them and saying I had made the whole thing up, that I was delusional.  

 

And just like that, my truth was dismissed. 

 

I carried that silence with me for years. I repressed the memory completely until a few years ago, when the nightmares came back. It was like my body and mind were trying to force me to remember what I had tried so hard to forget. That’s when I realized I had never really dealt with it, and I needed help. Asking for help as an adult was still incredibly hard. I felt ashamed, unsure, and honestly terrified. But I had reached a point where I felt completely lost. The abuse, the trauma, the secrets, they were eating me alive. I knew that if I didn’t get help, I wasn’t going to make it. Reaching out wasn’t easy, but it saved me. 

 

Why Is Asking for Help So Hard? (Sarah) 

Asking for help can feel like one of the hardest things to do, especially for people who have experienced trauma. And there are good reasons for that. 

For many survivors, silence was once a form of protection. Staying quiet may have been the only way to stay safe, be believed, or avoid further harm. Over time, this silence can become internalized, making vulnerability feel dangerous, even when it’s not anymore. 

There’s also fear: fear of not being believed, fear of being judged, fear of being a burden, and fear of losing control by letting someone in. And beneath that, there’s often shame. Trauma often tells people, “this was your fault.” Or “you should be over it by now.” These messages can be reinforced by family, culture, or society, and they make it even harder to reach out. Sometimes, asking for help means admitting something is real. And for people who’ve spent years trying to function, numb, or forget, that admission can feel overwhelming. 

But here’s the truth:
Survivors are not weak for needing support. They are incredibly strong for surviving in the first place. And choosing to ask for help, despite all those fears, is a powerful, courageous act.  

Healing doesn’t require perfection. It just asks us to begin.  

Even quietly. Even scared. Even one small step at a time. 

 

Growth and Resilience (Jacque) 

What does strength look like to you?
BEING COURAGEOUS. Not backing down to people, thoughts, or feelings. And being vocal, because I will no longer be silenced. 

My friends have been such a great help by making me laugh. changing the subject and always doing mental health checks. Just knowing they’re there helps me feel less alone. Communities like Mosaic Georgia and Tamar Support Group have made a big difference. Being in spaces where people truly understand what it means to survive has helped me feel seen and supported. I also tap into my creative side and do art therapy and journal weekly. 

 

Mental Health & Unlearning Messages (Jacque) 

Sometimes I feel like I’ve done so much healing work, then something triggers me and I feel like I’m right back where I started. It’s frustrating. 

But I remind myself: You are doing better.
We’re just often too hard on ourselves to see it. Healing doesn’t mean never having bad days. It means learning how to meet those days differently. I don’t spiral like I used to. And even when I struggle, I recover faster. That’s growth! 

 

Stop Comparing. Start Allowing. (Sarah) 

One of the most common things I hear from survivors is this:
“Other people had it worse. So why do I feel like this?” Let me be clear:
 

There is no healing hierarchy.  

Pain is pain. Trauma is trauma. Your experience is valid, even if someone else’s looks different. 

Comparison only keeps us quiet. It keeps us doubting ourselves, downplaying our emotions, or trying to “earn” the right to heal. But healing begins when we stop asking, “Is my pain bad enough?” and instead start asking, “What do I need right now?” 

You don’t have to justify your feelings. You don’t have to measure your pain against anyone else’s. You’re not being dramatic. You’re not too sensitive. You’re having a completely human response to harm.
 

How to Support a Survivor: What Survivors Need Most (Sarah) 

Healing is powerful, but even more so when survivors are supported by the people around them. If you are a family member, partner, or friend to someone healing from trauma, your presence matters. 

Here’s how to help: 

  • Believe them. Don’t question the timeline. Don’t ask “why now?” 
  • Avoid giving advice. Just listen. Offer validation like, “That sounds so hard. I’m here.” 
  • Never rush their healing. There’s no timeline for trauma recovery. 
  • Check in consistently. Don’t only show up when they “seem okay.” 
  • Respect their boundaries. Empowerment comes from making their own choices.  

Above all: Survivors need to know they are not a burden. Being supported, without conditions, shame, or pressure, is often what makes healing possible. 

 

Looking Ahead 

A message to survivors from Jacque:  

Take your time and find what works best for you, because healing journeys are like snowflakes: no two look the same. What helps someone else may not be what helps you, and that’s okay. Look for community, because I promise you, you are not alone. Give yourself grace, especially on the hard days. I’m still learning not to be so hard on myself, because none of this is our fault. And try not to overthink everything, it will only lead to breaking your own heart. 

 

A Final Word from Sarah 

As we honor Mental Health Awareness Month, I want to thank Jacque for her courage in sharing her story. Not just for herself, but for every survivor who’s still finding their voice. Her words remind us that healing doesn’t have to be perfect to be real. That setbacks don’t erase progress. And that even in the hardest moments, we are never truly alone. 

To every survivor reading this: your story matters. Your healing matters. Whether you’re just beginning or years into your journey, you are worthy of support, care, and compassion. 

This month, and every month, we see you. We believe you. And we are walking beside you. 

You are not alone. 

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The Rights of Victims Matter, Too 

Marina Headshot (1)

By Marina Sampanes Peed
Executive Director of Mosaic Georgia

April 7–11 marks National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW)—a time to honor survivors, acknowledge those working in victim services, and examine how our systems respond to harm. This year’s theme, KINSHIP: Connecting and Healing, is both a reflection and a call to action. It reminds us that when people experience trauma, they don’t just need procedures—they need people. Connection. Compassion. Respect. And rights.


 

The System at Work
When a felony crime occurs in Georgia, it is considered a crime against the State, not just against an individual victim. So the adjudication system and rules are built to protect due process for the accused, and rightly so. But what about the crime victim? The person who was abused, assaulted, or trafficked is not a party to the charges; they become a witness—or more pointedly, a piece of evidence—in the pursuit of justice. They are essential to the case against the accused, but the system is not structured around their needs, trauma, or recovery.  

That’s why the Crime Victims’ Bill of Rights, including the passage of Marsy’s Law in Georgia, is so important. It brought clarity and legal weight to what many already knew was necessary: that crime victims deserve to be informed, present, and heard throughout the judicial process. 

Marsy’s Law affirms a crime victim’s legal right to: 

  • Be notified of and present at court proceedings 
  • Be heard at key moments like plea or sentencing hearings 
  • Confer with prosecutors 
  • Be treated with dignity and fairness 
  • Seek restitution and protection 
  • Be free from unreasonable delay in proceedings  
  • File a motion if their right to be notified is not honored 

These rights do not interfere with the rights of the accused—they are meant to ensure the person who was harmed is not lost in the fast pace of docket-setting and legal negotiations. This is particularly critical for victims of sexual violence, who face unique and deeply personal challenges in the aftermath of assault. 

When someone is sexually violated, it’s not only their body that’s harmed—it’s their sense of self, safety and trust. 

 It’s the loss of agency, safety, and control. Survivors often describe feeling belittled, frightened, and powerless—not just in the moment of the assault, but long afterward. Their world is changed, and their trust in others—especially systems—is shaken.  

For assault survivors who do report the crime (most do not report), they do so seeking more than legal action. They want validation that what happened to them was wrong. They want to feel safe again. And most of all, they want to prevent the person who harmed them from doing it to anyone else. 

But the criminal justice system is a highly technical environment. Victims have no legal standing in the proceedings, limited voice, and little control over how or when the case progresses. And the defense will make every effort to discredit the victim and their allegations. Imagine navigating that system—while trying to work, go to school, raise children, or keep food on the table. The emotional toll is immense.  

System-induced trauma occurs when systems and their processes cause compound stressors which create negative, traumatic responses; this can occur in places created to mitigate trauma.  

Within this system are many deeply committed professionals—prosecutors, investigators, judges, and advocates—who work tirelessly to uphold justice and support survivors. While the structure may not always center the needs of victims, the compassion, patience, and determination of the people inside the system can make all the difference. 

Clients consistently tell us that their most positive experiences came from interactions with people in the system who took time—who didn’t seem rushed or distracted, who listened, and who treated them with kindness and respect. Participation resistance increases when survivors don’t feel seen.
We are all busy and under-resourced. And yet, remembering the humanity in one another makes the work more productive, more compassionate, and more worthwhile.
 

Mosaic Serves Victim’s Needs
At Mosaic Georgia, we stand in that space between systems and survivors.  We serve children, teens, and adults who have experienced sexual abuse, exploitation, and other interpersonal violence. Our role is to help survivors navigate the aftermath—through trauma-responsive care, legal advocacy, counseling, and community-based healing. We also collaborate with system partners to ensure victims’ rights are upheld and their needs recognized throughout the process.  

Through our Wholeness Collective, we offer restorative practices that support mind, body, and community—because resilience requires more than surviving; it requires connection. 

That’s why KINSHIP resonates so deeply. It reminds us that survivors are not “cases” or “evidence.” They are human beings—with names, families, fears, and futures. 

As we say often: 

“When a survivor comes forward, it’s not just a report—it’s a risk. A leap of faith.” 

“The frontlines of prevention aren’t in courtrooms—they’re in classrooms, workplaces, homes, and communities. It starts when we call out behaviors and attitudes that allow harm to grow.” 

 “If you’ve ever wondered whether you should say something, you probably should.” 

 

Every Role Matters 

Ways you can support survivors and strengthen our community 

If you’re a parent, teacher, or employer: 

  • Create environments where people feel safe to speak up. 
  • Listen without judgment. Believe them. 
  • Learn the signs of abuse—and what resources are available. 
  • Let people know: “You’re not alone. Help is here.” 

If you’re a survivor of sexual violence: 

  • Whether or not you’ve reported the crime, you deserve safety, dignity, and healing. 
  • What happened to you was not your fault. 
  • You have rights, and you are not alone. 
  • Mosaic Georgia is here to support you—on your terms, at your pace. 

If you’re a funder or donor: 

  • Your investment in Mosaic Georgia helps survivors access trauma-informed care, legal advocacy, and holistic healing. 
  • With your continued support, we can reach more people and build a more responsive, connected system of care. 

If you work in the justice system: 

  • Your role is critical. Survivors remember the professionals who took time, listened, and treated them with respect. 
  • Your leadership shapes how the system functions—and how victims feel in it. 
  • Thank you for showing up with compassion, even when resources are stretched thin. 

Together, we can ensure every survivor is seen, heard, and supported. 

My abuser was someone I loved, trusted, and wanted to know and be known by. He was someone I saw every single day. My family accepted him and welcomed him.

If you’ve followed my blog or read previous posts, you know the excitement I expressed for the popular television show, Who Wants to Be A Millionaire. I literally could not wait for the show to air in 1999. We only had antennas and two televisions in the trailer where I could watch the show. One television was in the living room but that is where my siblings often did their homework in the evening. The other television was in my mom and stepdad’s bedroom. When my stepdad invited me to watch the show, it seemed like the best of both worlds. Time with the person I trusted and loved AND I got to watch what I believed would be the best show ever.

It seems strange to label sexual abuse as gentle, but from a physical perspective, it was, in the beginning. I didn’t leave the room that first night in any kind of pain. But emotionally, I was filled with ambivalence.

I LOVED the show, Who Wants to be a Millionaire.

I ENJOYED getting the undivided attention of my stepdad.

I TRUSTED my stepdad would never do anything to harm me.

I was DISGUSTED by the evidence of the abuse on me.

I was CONFUSED by the passive threat he made before I left the room.

I FEARED someone would find out about our new secret.

At eight years old, these were strong, complex emotions that totally overwhelmed my system. I could not assess what was true, right, or healthy. As a result of the ambivalence, I had to rest on my default belief which was based on a general trust of people older than me. I needed those people to survive. If I could not trust them, how would I make it in the world?

Kids should be able to long for and love quality time with a parent. It is normal and healthy for a child to desire those things. My need for that perception of love was normal. I chose what was normal over and over- quality time with my stepdad and getting to watch my favorite show. Though it came with other hard feelings, the desire for love and acceptance won, over and over again.
So, ambivalence kept me quiet for a long time. And it keeps a lot of kids quiet.

When you hear a child disclose abuse, please know they have likely fought through the power of ambivalence. It is an incredible step of courage and bravery to go against the defaults to tell their story. Please accept that the ambivalence will not disappear overnight. Healing takes time.

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Healing Together: The Vital Role of Support Groups for Women After Sexual Trauma

Kendall Circle Headshot

By Kendall Wolz
Mental Health and Wellness Manager at Mosaic Georgia

Breaking the Silence: Why Support Matters
Sexual trauma can leave emotional, psychological, physical, and spiritual wounds in its wake. Many survivors struggle with feelings of shame,

 isolation, and fear, making it difficult to reach out for help. Many also question who they can turn to and where they can go for support. Individual therapy is a powerful tool for healing and is often an important part of the healing journey. However, trauma-based support groups offer something that is not readily available in the individual counseling setting—community, understanding, and shared strength. 

Support groups provide a safe, confidential space for survivors to connect with others who have walked a similar path. In these spaces, women can share their stories, express emotions freely, and receive encouragement from those who are most likely to understand.

A Safe Space for Healing
A trauma-informed support group is more than just a meeting—it is a sanctuary, a sacred place where healing occurs. It is a place where survivors are met with compassion and without judgment and a place where they can give and receive support. Being surrounded by people who validate experiences can be a crucial step toward self-acceptance and healing. Too many survivors have been met with ridicule, blame, disbelief, invalidation, and hatred when they come forward to share their experiences. It is vital that spaces are cultivated where healing messages are witnessed and internalized.

Shared Experiences, Shared Strength
One of the most powerful aspects of support groups is the community they provide and the realization that one is not alone on their journey. While the factors and circumstances surrounding a sexual assault vary greatly, the experience of dehumanization is something most survivors relate to. Sexual trauma fundamentally violates a person’s autonomy and dignity, reducing them to an object rather than a human being with rights and feelings. The experience of having personal boundaries violated and one’s humanity disregarded forms a common thread that transcends the specific details of each survivor’s trauma. And being in a space where women are at different time points in their healing journey allows one to see both how far they’ve come and the future ahead of them.

The Power of Women Supporting Women: A Legacy of Collective Healing
We all have an innate need to be seen, heard, and valued by another person. Sexual trauma invalidates this need and sends the message that it is dangerous to be seen, heard, or valued by others. This can lead to withdrawal and isolation as a protective mechanism. 

Throughout history, women have created powerful networks of support during times of crisis and trauma. From the consciousness-raising groups of the 1970s feminist movement to the #MeToo movement of recent years, women have consistently demonstrated that collective healing is revolutionary. These spaces draw upon a rich historical tradition where women have gathered to share wisdom, provide mutual aid, and challenge systems of oppression that enable violence against women. 

In the support groups offered at Mosaic Georgia for female-identifying survivors, women participate in this historical continuum of care. Here, they have the opportunity to show up in a safe space where they can begin to rebuild authentic, caring relationships. The weekly to bi-weekly interactions with other women who simply “get it” leads to friendships that will last beyond the support group curriculum. These friendships form a vital support network that helps sustain women on their healing journey after sexual trauma. 

When women come together in these spaces, they not only heal themselves but contribute to a broader societal healing. By sharing their stories and supporting one another, they help break intergenerational cycles of trauma and create new narratives of resilience and empowerment. This collective strength has been a cornerstone of women’s advancement throughout history—the understanding that when one woman heals, she creates space for others to do the same. 

Kendall Wolz heads up the Mental Health and Wellness team that provides individual, family, and group therapy to those seeking care at Mosaic Georgia. As a survivor herself, she has a unique insight into the challenges of living with past trauma, how it impacts lives daily, and what the process of healing truly looks like. Her personal website, Brave Girl, Speak unpacks some of the complex issues that come along with being a survivor of sexual violence. Visit Kendall’s site to read more about her personal journey healing from trauma and peeling the layers to reclaim her true self.

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Stories Untold: Breaking the Silence of Sexual Trauma in the Black Community

Erica Legons

Erica Legons
Counselor/Therapist

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Maryam Jordan
Professional Education & Training Services

 

Sexual trauma, in all its devastating forms, leaves deep scars on its victims.For members of marginalized communities, particularly within the Black community, the journey to acknowledge and heal from this trauma is further complicated by cultural stigmas, shame, fear of  judgment, and systemic barriers. This silence, perpetuated by distrust in institutions and invalidation from even close circles, often leaves victims to suffer alone.

Intergenerational trauma plays a significant role in this cycle of silence. Defined by the American Psychological Association (APA) as “the transmission of psychological consequences stemming from an injury, attack, or systemic oppression across generations; intergenerational trauma includes the unresolved wounds of sexual violence”. Within the Black community, the echoes of historical oppression compound this pain, reinforcing patterns of silence and secrecy.
 

The Depth of Trauma

To fully understand the depth of sexual trauma in the Black community, we must confront the stark realities. The statistics reveal a sobering truth: for every Black woman who reports being raped, at least 15 others remain silent. By adulthood, one in four Black girls will have experienced sexual abuse, and 40% to 60% of Black women report coercive sexual contact before the age of 18. These violations often persist into adulthood, with 35% of Black women enduring contact sexual violence in their lifetime and one in five surviving rape. 

The experiences of Black men also shed light on the prevalence of violence. Nearly 40.1% of Black men report physical violence, sexual violence, or stalking by an intimate partner, and nearly 15% have endured intimate partner sexual violence. Behind these harrowing numbers lies a shared reality: systemic racism. Policies and practices born of systemic inequities contribute to heightened rates of violence and erect barriers to accessing care and justice. The result is a perpetuation of harm, isolation, and mistrust. 

Breaking the silence requires us to name these truths and acknowledge how deeply rooted trauma affects our communities. Many of us grew up hearing phrases like, “Oh, they got mental issues,” or “That’s just how they are,” masking the reality of trauma manifesting in our families. These dismissals often obscured the presence of intergenerational trauma, leaving its destructive patterns unchallenged.
  

The Ongoing Cycle 

 Why does this cycle persist? Is it ignorance? Denial? Fear? Shame? Perhaps it is all of these things, but above all, silence plays the most significant role. Within the Black community, silence has become an illusion of safety—an attempt to shield ourselves from pain—but it has only deepened the suffering. Acknowledging the trauma of sexual violence feels overwhelming, but avoidance perpetuates the harm. 

Encouraging silence sends a harmful message to victims. It dismisses their pain, erases their experiences, and denies them the opportunity to heal. Confronting this silence is not easy, but it is essential. It is through recognition, accountability, and collective action that we can dismantle the shame surrounding sexual trauma and illuminate a path to healing.

 

A Way Forward 

As a community, we can reclaim power by making room for the stories of survivors and ensuring they are met with compassion and support. Acknowledgment is a transformative first step; it opens the door to healing, empowerment, and change. By breaking the silence, we create space for hope and resilience, ensuring that the voices of victims are not just heard but uplifted. 

The bridge to hope begins with us—when we listen, believe, and stand together. Let us move forward with a commitment to breaking cycles of silence, holding space for survivors, and fostering a community that acknowledges our pain while building pathways to healing. In this acknowledgment, we find the strength to create a future where stories untold no longer linger in the shadows but instead inspire change and resilience in the light. 

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Someone’s Gotta Say It

 

Love in Action: Beyond Hearts and Roses

 

By Marina Sampanes Peed
Executive Director of Mosaic Georgia

“What the world needs now is love, sweet love. No, not just for some, but for everyone.” The sentiment expressed in this song by Hal David and Burt Bacharach in 1965 still holds true today. The ancient Greeks had at least six words for different types of love. Those of us in philanthropy demonstrate agape, the love for humankind.  A big part of our purpose is to hold up the ideals that make a strong and safe community for everyone, especially for children, youth, people with disabilities, and others outside the mainstream.  At Mosaic Georgia, we see the harmful effects of “love” misused to groom, manipulate, coerce, and force harm.

 

A Month of Love 

February is also Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, and if we truly care about love and relationships, we need to have some real conversations about what love is—and what it isn’t. Love should never hurt—physically, emotionally, financially, or psychologically. Love is more than a feeling; it is a verb. It requires action, care, and intention. And like any skill, love takes practice. Yet too many young people experience dating violence before they even fully understand what a healthy relationship looks like. In addition to watching adults in their homes, they are inundated with all types of examples on TV, social media, and other apps. 


According to the CDC, about 1 in 12 high school students experience physical or sexual dating violence.

Teen dating violence isn’t just about bruises or controlling behavior. It can look like manipulation, excessive jealousy, threats, and digital abuse—constant monitoring, pressure for explicit photos, or controlling someone’s social media. For some, these patterns start young and escalate over time, making it harder to recognize when something is wrong. 

 

 What It Is and What It’s Not
 

Love is not: 

 “If you love me, you would do this for me, no questions asked.” 

“You’re not allowed to talk to them anymore; it’s disrespectful to me.” 

“I need your passwords so I can trust you.” 

“If you don’t send me that picture, I’ll find someone who will.” 

“You wouldn’t leave me if you really loved me.” (“If you love me, you would…” is not love.)
 

We can do better.
 

Conversations about love and relationships need to start early—long before a young person starts dating. Parents, caregivers, and educators play a vital role in modeling and discussing what respect, boundaries, and consent look like. That means moving beyond the outdated “just say no” messages and equipping young people with real tools to navigate relationships with respect, recognize red flags, and feel empowered to set their own boundaries.

 

 What does this love look like in action?  

  • Talking about emotions openly and encouraging kids to express their feelings in healthy ways. 
  • Helping young people recognize manipulation, coercion, and gaslighting.  
  • Encouraging digital safety and privacy in relationships. 
  • Modeling respect and consent in all relationships—not just romantic ones. 
  • Expressing love in positive ways:
     
    • In work: Recognizing and appreciating colleagues’ efforts, offering support during stressful times, and fostering a culture of respect and encouragement. 
    • In friendship: Being present, listening without judgment, celebrating each other’s successes, and standing by one another through difficult times. 
    • In family: Showing affection through words and actions, respecting boundaries, and prioritizing quality time together. 
    • In romance: Practicing open communication, demonstrating trust, supporting each other’s goals, and expressing appreciation regularly. 

 

For those who’ve already experienced interpersonal violence, it’s never too late to get support. People are reluctant to speak up, fearing shame, disbelief, or retaliation. To create safe, judgment-free spaces for disclosure, just listen.  

 

Don’t ask, “Why did you do that/put up with that?” Instead, say, “Thank you for trusting me with this. It must be hard to share; I know how much you care for them.” Whether it’s a trusted adult, a friend, or a professional, support matters. 

 

Love is not about power or fear. It is an ongoing practice—something we nurture and refine over time through our actions and choices. It’s about mutual care, respect, and safety. This year, let’s commit to showing love with action every day. Because the best gift we can give our young people is the knowledge and confidence to expect and demand healthy relationships. 

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Someone’s Gotta Say It

 

Courage in the Face of Betrayal 

 

By Marina Sampanes Peed
Executive Director of Mosaic Georgia

“When you’re raped, there is shame, and it’s not for us to have shame, it’s for them”

 

Just before Christmas, verdicts were reached at the conclusion of the four-month trial of Dominique Pelicot and 50 other men charged with raping his wife over the course of almost a decade. This trial was watched and reported by news outlets around the globe. 

How did we, the curious public, come to learn so many details of the horrific sexual abuse of this mother and grandmother organized by her then-husband?  It’s possible because the victim waived her right to anonymity during the trial. In fact, Mme. Gisele Pelicot insisted the images and videos be seen by the court, and she attended every day. Courage is found in moments of profound vulnerability. For survivors of sexual violence, courage can mean finding the strength to speak about the unspeakable, especially when betrayal comes not from a stranger, but from someone they trusted.  

As Madame Pelicot explained:
“It’s true that I hear lots of women, and men, who say ‘you’re very brave.’ I say it’s not bravery, it’s will and determination to change society….I wanted all women victims of rape—not just when they have been drugged, rape exists at all levels—I want those women to say: Mrs. Pelicot did it, we can do it, too. When you’re raped, there is shame, and it’s not for us to have shame, it’s for them.”
 

Incidental Discovery 

How were the crimes discovered and reported?  It all came to light when Dominique Pelicot was arrested at a shopping center for covertly trying to take pictures up women’s skirts (called “upskirting”) in November 2020.  A store employee convinced the victim to tell the police (she was reluctant, but did report).  D. Pelicot’s phone was seized, and then upon finding evidence, his computer was secured. In that search, a library of over 20,000 images and hours of video documenting a drugged woman being raped were found. The images were filed in a hard drive with dates, perpetrators, and sex acts. D. Pelicot confessed immediately.  

For nearly a decade, Dominique Pelicot, posted online to attract men to their home to assault his wife while she slept, claiming it was a kink the couple enjoyed. He recruited assailants from an online forum “a son insu” (Without her Knowledge), where rape and sexual abuse were actively discussed and normalized by users. The police reports show how after initial contact was made, conversations then moved to Skype where D. Pelicot often shared pictures of his unconscious wife being raped. A number of the viewers expressed an interest in having their own partners violated in a similar manner. 

He secretly drugged his wife into unconsciousness and facilitated her rape by numerous men, filming around 200 rapes carried out between 2011 and 2020.  He had a system to prepare the men before entering the bedroom to reduce the likelihood she would have memory of scents or smells. She awoke every morning in her pajamas. 

Mme. Pelicot was unaware of the drugging and assaults; she was, however, experiencing pain, infections, hair loss, foggy brain and memory loss. She thought it might be Alzheimer’s or a brain tumor.  Her adult children and friends noticed that she was changing and encouraged her to get care. Her husband accompanied her to medical appointments.  

Over the last four years, prosecutors built their cases and prepared for trial. While 50 men were identified and brought to trial, an additional 21 men were on video committing rape, but their identities were not confirmed. In December 2024, Dominique Pelicot and 50 other men were convicted of various charges, receiving sentences ranging from three to twenty years. Dominique received the maximum sentence. 

 

What Kind of Man Believes This is Okay?  

The men seemed typical: Of the 51 men arrested, around half were married or in relationships at the time of their arrest, and two-thirds of them have children. Many were employed in working-class jobs. Some professed happy childhoods that would offer little explanation of why they chose to “have sex” with an unconscious woman. Around half disclosed abuse or trauma in childhood. The court investigators found that 11 of the men were likely sexually abused as children, or more than 20%. Fourteen have a history of violence, mostly against women (2 were already in prison when identified as suspects). Fourteen of the men struggled with addiction to alcohol or drugs, one of whom was living in a psychiatric hospital when the police came to arrest him. 

The defendants who denied the charges of rape claimed:  

  • They didn’t realize she was unconscious (despite her snoring) and did not know they were raping her.  
  • Her husband encouraged them to assault her, so he consented for her.  
  • “When the husband is present, it isn’t rape”
     

One defendant told police: “I can tell you that at that moment very bad things happened in my brain… my brain reacted too late, and I didn’t react the way a man should react.”  He also said: “I put my conscience aside… I was thinking with my sexual organ instead of with my brain.”
 

What Kind of Society is Complicit? 

Attempts to understand how so many “regular guys” behave this way boggles the mind of someone with a conscience and empathy.  Sexual intercourse to another person’s body who is not actively and consensually participating is just wrong. It causes harm to the victim (and it could be argued that the perpetrator is harmed at a soul level).

The laws and adjudication process, presumed to protect the public (primarily women and girls) from such harms, are parsed by defense counsel, juries, and judges in ways that result in less than 3% of offenders held accountable.  The discomfort of cognitive dissonance is screaming ‘these things are bad’ and yet our practices and perceptions don’t protect.  Women are often not believed, and few cases are prosecuted. When tried and convicted, the penalties are often not commensurate to the harm caused. Some of the perpetrators in the Pelicot case received as little as three  years for such a grotesque violation of another human’s physical body and right to safety and autonomy.

Making true change demands that we – individually and collectively – decide to feel uncomfortable and truly consider: 

  • What rights and autonomy should you have over your own body?
  • What rights should you have over another’s body?
  • What responsibilities should you have for your sexual behaviors?
  • What should be the consequences of someone physically or sexually harming your body?
  • Would Mme. Pelicot have been believed if she awoke during an assault and gave a hazy recollection of events (without the video)?
  • In the judge’s mind, what factors contributed to the value they associated with the victim’s suffering, inevitably influencing many of the lighter sentences?
  • Why don’t people want to acknowledge or talk about the occurrence of these harms?
  • How can adults today model healthy behaviors and teach children about their bodies, human physical development, puberty, and sexual health?

The depths of betrayal and deceit exceed understanding. Think of how much of her life has been stolen:  The ten years of hidden abuse, the physical and mental ailments and psychological harms, four more years between the reveal and arrest to the trial, four months of courtroom trial activity, listening to the descriptions and watching the videos. The Pelicot adult children and their families are secondary victims, as this has turned their lives upside down.  

In a brief statement outside the courthouse after the verdicts, Madame Pelicot declared that she had “led the fight” for future generations. She wanted to stand strong for her children and grandchildren, so their last name is also a symbol of courage, explaining, “I’m thinking about all the other families affected by this case and the unrecognized victims in these stories that are often in the shadows—you share my struggle.” 

At Mosaic Georgia, we encounter quiet courage every day. Survivors come forward to share their stories, trusting us to believe, support, and help them rebuild their lives. While their cases rarely make headlines or go to trial, their courage is no less significant. And recovering and healing is a lifetime endeavor.  

Gisele Pelicot teaches us that survivors need more than courage—they deserve a community that supports them. Systems of justice, advocacy, and care must be prepared not only to hear survivors but to act on their behalf.  

In 2025, let us commit to fostering a community culture that not only believes survivors but actively works to protect and uplift them. 

  

Alternative questions:  

To someone with a conscience, empathy, and an internal moral compass, the stress of the cognitive dissonance on display can make one’s brain feel like it’s on fire. So many questions.  

  1. How is it that at least 70 men—ages 23 to 70+, many married, and many fathers—believed this was acceptable to sexually assault an unconscious woman? 
  2. Why are men active in dark web forums where married men organize the drugging and raping of their own wives, not just in France, but around the world.   
  3. Would she have been believed if she awoke during an assault and gave a hazy recollection of events? 
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How to Recognize Abuse – and What to Do About It

Kendall Circle Headshot

By Kendall Wolz
Mental Health and Wellness Manager at Mosaic Georgia

As adults, we have a collective responsibility to help keep children safe. We should be vigilant and informed about the signs of child abuse. Our recognition of the signs could be the lifeline that a child desperately needs.

5 Reasons Adults Need to Know the Signs of Child Sexual Abuse

  1. Protection and Prevention: early detection of grooming and abuse may alter the trajectory of a child’s life. Child sexual abuse often occurs in contexts where the perpetrator has a trusting relationship with child and/or caregivers. In many situations, the perpetrator has frequent access to the child. Early intervention can prevent sexual abuse from escalating and can stop it entirely. Not only does the recognition of abuse protect the child who is being harmed, but it may also prevent future children from being harmed.
  2. Providing Support: children who have experienced abuse will need access to supportive resources such as counseling, advocacy, and a medical examination. When adults recognize the signs and symptoms associated with child sexual abuse, children can access these resources quickly.
  3. Legal and Moral Responsibility: in some jurisdictions, adults are legally obligated to report suspected child abuse. Mandated reporting laws do not require absolute knowledge that abuse is occurring, rather reports are required if there is reasonable suspicion a child is being sexually abused or maltreated. Beyond legal requirements, there is a moral imperative to act in the best interests of vulnerable children.
  4. Breaking the Cycle of Abuse: research reveals the devastating impacts of adverse childhood experiences. A 2021 study found that approximately half of child sexual abuse victims report sexual revictimization later in life which indicates the desperate need for intervention and supportive services during childhood and adolescence.
  5. Raising Community Awareness: when adults are informed and proactive, they contribute to a community culture that does not tolerate abuse. This heightened awareness can lead to better protection policies, more resources for victims, and a community that collectively works to safeguard its children.

Signs of Child Sexual Abuse

Parents, teacher, coaches or caregivers may feel concerned or overwhelmed at the thought of identifying signs of abuse. She’s been acting withdrawn and not herself lately but how do I know if that’s just typical teenage stuff? Am I overthinking it? Is something really wrong? By educating ourselves and becoming aware of what to look for we can feel more prepared to trust ourselves to notice when something might not be quite right.

Effects of abuse manifest with both behavioral and physical signs.

Someone experiencing the trauma of abuse may exhibit extreme changes in behavior including sudden mood swings such as rage, fear or withdrawal. They may also express fear or dislike of certain people or places. Victims may detach from others and become depressed.

Sexual behaviors may emerge such as age-inappropriate interest in sexual matters, like simulating sex with dolls or asking other children to behave sexually. Excessive or compulsive masturbation may occur.

Sleep disturbances can be common such as nightmares, fear of the dark or trouble sleeping. In some instances a regression to infantile behavior such as bedwetting or thumb sucking can be seen.

Physical signs may include abdominal pain or unexplained stomach illness, loss of appetite or trouble eating or swallowing, sudden weight loss or gain and difficulty with bowel movements or urination. If there is indication of unexplained bruises, pain, bleeding or redness on the child’s genitals or anus, or frequent vaginal infections or irritations, this could be a sign of misconduct.

Once I Know, What Should I Do?

If a child is seen to display some of the symptoms listed above, they should be asked open-ended questions in a calm, neutral, and caring manner.

Examples of questions might include:

If a child or teen suddenly has a new relationship with an individual who is older than them or that they display some secrecy about:
Tell me more about your relationship with X. What do you like about them? What do you not like about them?

If a child or teen begins using new words for body parts or exhibits knowledge in sexual acts inappropriate for their age:
Will you tell me what you mean when you refer to X? How did you learn about that? How did you feel when you learned about it? .

If a child is experiencing sleep disturbances:
Take note of what has changed in the child’s routine, how the child’s nutrition/eating schedule may have changed (for example caffeine intake). Are there any new stressors in the household?

If a child or teen experiences avoidance or withdrawal:
Tell me about the last time you remember spending time at/with X. What feelings/sensations do you notice in your body when they are around?

These questions can be used as a guide to open communication about the signs/symptoms an adult may notice. It is important to avoid close ended questions, those that a child or teen may respond to with a yes or no.

If a child discloses they have been harmed or abused, they need a calm, nurturing response from the adult.

Adults should strive to respond with calmness, comfort, and action. Examples of verbiage to respond to a disclosure of sexual abuse are:

“You are very brave and I appreciate you telling me what you’ve experienced. I believe you. It is important to me that you are safe. I am going to make some telephone calls so we can figure out how to keep you safe.”

“I believe you. I am so sorry that you have been hurt by a person you trusted. You did the right thing by sharing what happened to you. It is not okay that X hurt you. You are not in trouble for telling me. We are going to work together to figure out a plan to keep you safe. I am going to make a couple of phone calls to people who can help us with that goal.”

Where to Find Help

The next steps following a disclosure involve notifying the appropriate authorities, including law enforcement and the Child Protective Services Hotline.

If you have any questions about identifying abuse, please contact Mosaic Georgia at 866-900-6019 to speak with a trained advocate.

If you know a child or have a suspicion that a child has been victimized by child sexual abuse, call your local law enforcement agency at 911 or local child protective services (in Gwinnett County, Georgia – Gwinnett County Department of Family and Children’s Services at 678-518-5500).

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Grieving Well This Holiday Season

Erica Legons

By Erica Legons
Counselor/Therapist at Mosaic Georgia

When I think about the holidays, I’m flooded with colorful images of family, friends, food, gift-wrapped boxes, cozy sweaters, fireworks, and the splendor of the seasons’ change. Yet as the mental reel continues, I am also reminded of all that I have lost. Holidays can have a not-so-subtle way of reminding us of the empty spaces and deficits in our lives. Perhaps the loved ones no longer with us while we gather at the table … or the life we used to envision being hijacked by the dreadful reality of sexual trauma … or those in our lives that seemingly over-promised and undelivered, only to abandon us to the pain of rejection, shame, and loneliness. While each person’s account of loss will differ, there is one thing that likely rings true for each of us – grief during the holidays can be especially difficult.

As of late, amidst the leaves changing colors and the air becoming crisp, I have also found myself wedged between my feelings of sadness and gratitude in anticipation of this upcoming Thanksgiving. A little over two months ago, my sweet “Papa” (grandfather) died. For as long as I have been alive, his love, care, and kind presence has been with me. The idea of fully accepting his absence this holiday season is daunting if I’m being honest. However, I am giving myself permission to embrace the fact that it’s okay that this feels daunting.

If you are not already familiar with the five stages of grief, a model developed by Swiss American psychiatrist, Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, the five stages are denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. While these five stages have been researched and are very common, one’s experience of grief is still unique to the individual. The stages of grief are nonlinear and not everyone will experience each of these stages. Although there is no prescribed “right way to grieve”, I would offer that there is an opportunity to learn how to grieve well, especially during the holiday season. Let’s consider a few things to remember as we set our intention to grieve well.

Acknowledge the difficulty of the season

While there may be excitement in the air as holiday travel ramps up, Fall/Winter sales begin, prices drop, cozy sweaters come off the hangers, and the aroma of family recipes permeate kitchens; there may also be amplified feelings of sorrow, loneliness, and anxiety. It may be difficult to sit with certain memories associated with the loss, see others creating holiday memories with their loved ones/partner on social media, hear specific songs/watch certain movies, or to have the social and emotional battery to attend holiday office parties. Shame has an insidious way of convincing us that we are not allowed to struggle during a time that is “supposed to be” joyous. Do yourself a favor and give yourself permission to acknowledge the difficulty of the season rather than masking it.

Consider healthy coping strategies

  • Coping strategies are not one-size-fits-all so perhaps you may prefer something different.
  • Physical movement: Engage the body in physical movement. Perhaps spending time outdoors in nature for a hike or short walks.
  • Set boundaries: Utilize the power of the gentle but firm “no” when you need to. If you need to decline invitations, leave early, or silence your phone notifications for a set time, do so.
  • Allow yourself to feel: Though this may read like a broken record, it is a critical part of the healing journey. When we allow ourselves to feel without judgment, we are attuned to our most authentic self and honoring our human need to feel and release.
  • Lean into your support network: Communicate what you are specifically needing from your trusted supports. Even if there is only one trusted individual in your support network, don’t talk yourself out of asking for support for fear of being a burden or “killing the holiday vibe”.
  • Use helpful distractions or “press pause”: Re-focus your attention on something different when you need to. Maybe a creative activity, reading, puzzles, playing with a pet, or spending time with a friend. Sometimes you may need to simply “press pause” to spend quiet time with self for grounding, journaling, or a good nap!

Recognize the importance of self-compassion

Remember to be gentle with yourself. What you are experiencing is something that is undoubtedly one of the most tragic happenings in the human experience. Be mindful of how you speak to yourself as you navigate your grief process and realize that it is just that – a process. Set realistic expectations for yourself this holiday season and if/when you fall short, give yourself grace. Although it may not be a nearby thought, grief points back to the reality that you have dared to love and allowed your heart to be open and vulnerable to receive love – affirm yourself for such a courageous act.

As we head into this holiday season, let us commit to practicing the art of self-compassion, allowing room for the unexpected, though necessary “pauses”, and anchoring ourselves to the belief that the waves will pass and our waters will find their state of calm once again. Take care of yourself – you’re worth it.

If you want to learn more, I encourage you to read this educational article on the Five Stages of Grief.

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