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Beyond the Headlines: The Everyday Reality of Exploitation

by Ken Moua in Awareness & Education

Someone’s Gotta Say It

 

Beyond the Headlines: The Everyday Reality of Exploitation 

By Marina Sampanes Peed
Executive Director of Mosaic Georgia

The media is talking about Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell again. The outrage is real — but the truth is more uncomfortable: there are Jeffrey Epsteins in every community. 

They aren’t always billionaires or celebrities. Sometimes they’re neighbors, coaches, classmates, boyfriends, or trusted family friends. They use grooming techniques, power, fear, and — increasingly — social media to exploit children, teens, and adults. 

One man’s “party” is coercive assault and abuse of another person. When you see others as less than human, it is easier to believe you are entitled to their obedience, sex, or affection. Shame and silence support the cycle. Would you behave this way if your grandmother, mom or daughter were present?  

At Mosaic Georgia, we don’t need headlines to remind us of this reality. We see it every day. 

The 1st Six Months of 2025 

It can’t be that bad, some say. What are the numbers?  We keep track of our services – many developed from analyzing the data and identifying system gaps. Here is what courage and resilience looked like in Gwinnett in the first half of 2025:  

Safe to Say It Out Loud 

  • 271 children and teens sat in a safe room and told a trained professional what they had endured or witnessed. These brave conversations, called forensic interviews, often mark the first step toward safety, healing and justice. 
  • 158 survivors received immediate medical forensic exams after being assaulted. The patients ranged in age from 2 years to 61 years. Among the adults, 19 survivors chose not to report to law enforcement. Their evidence kits were collected and securely stored — preserving their chance for justice in the future, when and if they are ready. This ensures survivors don’t lose their chance for justice, even if they need more time.
     
  • 515 people in crisis picked up the phone not knowing if anyone would answer — and found a Mosaic advocate on the line, ready to listen, believe, and act.
     
  • 12 young survivors of trafficking were identified and supported with over 500 specialized services — to begin the long journey to health.
     

Securing Victims’ Rights and Safety 

Safety doesn’t stop at medical care – it continues into courtrooms, schools, homes, and legal systems. 

  • 319 survivors turned to Mosaic Georgia for legal advice and education, including 23 who received direct representation from an attorney. Many were experiencing complex family, criminal, or civil issues while trying to stay safe from stalkers, abusers, or system gaps.
     

Healing from Betrayal & Violence 

Healing is not a straight line – but it starts with safe, trusted support. 

  • 580 individuals began counseling to reclaim their mental health and resilience.  They participated in nearly 1,000 sessions with our licensed, trauma-focused therapists.
     
  • Strength through Community: 828 participants in support group and Wholeness Collective programming: 110 support group sessions equipped over 270 participants with healing and growth are possible. 68 Wholeness Collective events engaged over 550 youth and adults.
     

A Voice through Advocacy 

Victim Advocacy is specialized support for people who have experienced crime or abuse. Think of it like patient advocacy -but for survivors of violence. Much like a patient advocate helps navigate medical and insurance systems, our advocates help survivors understand their rights, access resources, and make informed choices after a traumatic event. We ensure their voices are heard in systems that are stretched and focused on process.

We provided over 29,000 advocacy contacts and supports in the first six months and managed over 60 subpoena and records requests, reducing survivors’ legal burden. 

Each contact represents a moment when a survivor didn’t have to face the trauma alone. 

Shifting the Shame 

While society debates sensational scandals, too often survivors in our own neighborhoods are asked What were you wearing? Why Didn’t you leave? Why didn’t you call the police? 

These questions, however curious, neutralize the responsibility of the perpetrator and assumes they have no self control.  

Instead of questioning survivors, we should be asking perpetrators:  Why did you think it’s okay to be intimate with someone who didn’t want that? Why didn’t you walk away when she said she wasn’t interested? Why did you get mad when she said no?
 

A Community That Doesn’t Look Away 

Even as we moved into our new Lawrenceville Center in May, our services never stopped. In June, more than 100 community members — including dignitaries, funders, and partners — joined us for our Grand Opening. WSB covered the event, amplifying the message that Gwinnett will not look away. 

Why This Matters Now 

The Epstein and Maxwell cases may dominate the headlines, but exploitation thrives in silence.  

Survivors in our communities deserve more than shock and outrage — they deserve dignity, safety, healing, and justice.
 

Behind every number is a survivor. Someone who decided to trust us with their story, their safety, and their future. Mosaic Georgia stands with them — alongside you, our community — for safer, stronger tomorrows. Don’t wait for the next headline. Join us! 

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Someone’s Gotta Say It: What a Difference a Year Makes

by Ken Moua in Professional Insights & Experiences

Someone’s Gotta Say It

What a Difference a Year Makes 

Marina Headshot (1)

By Marina Sampanes Peed
Executive Director of Mosaic Georgia

One year ago, we were running out of space—literally and figuratively.

Mosaic Georgia had outgrown our facilities, our systems were straining under the weight of growing demand, and we were navigating an increasingly unstable funding environment for victim services. Our clients—survivors of sexual assault, child abuse, and sexual exploitation—never stopped showing up. So neither did we. 

Fast-forward to today: We’re now settled into our new home in Lawrenceville, thanks to a transformative partnership with Northside Hospital. But this isn’t just a bigger building. It’s a bold investment in people and community. 

This represents more than a physical upgrade. It reflects decades of work—and thousands of survivor stories—woven into the fabric of Gwinnett County. 

Our roots go back to Ann Smiley, who founded Gwinnett Rape Crisis in a ranch-style house in Duluth and made it the first center in Georgia to provide medical forensic exams outside of emergency rooms. That bold step launched a trajectory of innovation and compassion. Under longtime Executive Director Ann Burdges, we expanded to serve children and introduced civil legal aid as a core service—another Georgia first. 

Today, Mosaic Georgia offers a full continuum of trauma-informed care: 24/7 crisis response, pediatric and adult medical forensic exams, child forensic interviews, counseling, legal assistance, and healing programs. Whether someone lives in an outside encampment, an extended stay motel, or a gated community—we serve them all. And we do so with confidentiality, dignity, urgency, and care. 

Our new space was designed with that purpose at its core. It says to every child, teen, and adult who enters:
  

We see you. You are not alone. And you deserve to feel safe.
 

Thanks to your support—and Northside Hospital—we now have a center that can handle the depth of care we provide. One-third larger than our previous location, it brings together every essential service. Fewer delays. More dignity. Better care. 

But space alone doesn’t create healing. People do. 

As we reach the midpoint of 2025, I’m filled with gratitude—for those who bring this work to life and those who trust us with their healing. From the child who whispers, “You’re nice. Can I come back?,” to the nurse who works through lunch to finish documentation, to the donor whose quiet generosity powers our mission—every person makes a difference. 

Being in Lawrenceville, at the heart of Gwinnett County, is more than geographic. It reflects who we are: a community where diverse voices come together, where partnerships thrive, and where progress is built, together. 

To our extraordinary partners: 

  • Northside Hospital—for believing in this vision and making room for it. 
  • Core Investors in this dream—the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council; Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners; foundations like Fraser-Parker, James M. Cox, and Tull; corporations like Gas South and Primerica; and those who give as Anonymous—thank you for laying the groundwork to get us here. 
  • Donors and board members—your support of what happens inside the walls is what keeps us strong. 
  • Our Mosaic of institutional partners—law enforcement, prosecutors, DFCS, GCPS, the courts—you are not just collaborators; you are part of this healing ecosystem. 
  • To our staff, volunteers, and advocates—you make this dream real with your love, labor, and fierce dedication. 

This new space is a promise kept. But the future of this work—its reach, its quality, its sustainability—is not guaranteed. 

Policy shifts and funding gaps threaten the very programs that protect victims and hold offenders accountable. The systems we’ve built are strong, but they’re not immune to political agendas or budget cuts. That’s why we need you.
 

This summer and fall, help us keep the momentum going. Give if you can. Share our message. Speak up for policies that protect, not punish, survivors. And model consent, respect, and care in your own homes and communities. 

If you’ve already joined us on this journey—thank you. If not, now is the perfect time. 

Because what a difference a year makes—when people choose to care, to act, and protect. 

Here’s to more light, more love, and more healing in the months ahead.

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

by Ken Moua in Awareness & Education

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.

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

by Susan Nerenbaum in Support & Healing, Survivor Stories & Advocacy

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

by Susan Nerenbaum in Support & Healing

The Rights of Victims Matter, Too 

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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

by Susan Nerenbaum in Support & Healing

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

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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

by Susan Nerenbaum in Survivor Stories & Advocacy

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

Erica Legons

Erica Legons
Counselor/Therapist

Untitled-design-21-e1738594009693

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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Love in Action: Beyond Hearts and Roses

by Susan Nerenbaum in Awareness & Education

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 Susan Nerenbaum in Legal & Justice System

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

by brian in Awareness & Education

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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