Podcast
Welcome to Support for Survivors — a podcast dedicated to survivors of sexual abuse. Regardless of where you are in your path to healing, we will be bringing you information and resources to help you along the way.
Our podcast host is Shaunestte Terrell. She’s a former Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office and was assigned to the Special Victim’s Unit. For the past 10 years, Shaunestte has dedicated her legal career to serving the needs of vulnerable people. Shaunestte now works alongside Greg Laker who chairs the sexual abuse litigation team at Cohen & Malad, LLP.
Shaunestte will be speaking with guests including prosecutors, sexual assault nurses, survivor advocates, and survivors themselves.
We welcome your comments and questions about our podcast episodes. Click the button below to submit your thoughts and we can either share the information here on this page or in a future podcast episode.
If you are interested in being interviewed on Support for Survivors or have ideas of guests we should invite, please let us know. Click the button below to request to be on our show or tell us who we should interview in a future episode. We’d love to hear from you!
Episode 1 – Welcome to our show!
Meet Shaunestte and learn how this podcast is designed to help survivors of sexual abuse.
Please join us on this journey. We encourage you to submit questions, suggestions for interview guests, and feedback via our website www.supportforsurvivors.com. Follow our host Shaunestte Terrell on Twitter @Shaunestte . You can also find us on Instagram, here: @support.for.survivors.
Episode 2 – LEGISLATIVE REFORM
Interview with Marci Hamilton and Kathryn Robb
Shaunestte will be talking with Marci Hamilton — Founder, CEO and Legal Director of Child USA and Kathryn Robb — Executive Director of Child USAdvocacy about the exceptional work they have done across the United States to advocate for reforms to child sexual abuse legislation.
Follow Kathyrn on Twitter @Kathrynrobb1 and @ChildUSAdvocacy
Follow Marci on Twitter @Marci_Hamilton and @Child_USA
Episode 3 – Race & Sexual Assault
Interview with Courtney Curtis
Shaunestte will be talking with Courtney Curtis, Assistant Executive Director for the Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council (IPAC) about the impact that race has had on the reporting and prosecution of sexual assault cases against Black women in the United States and the change that is needed.
Resources:
Please visit the National Museum of African American History & Culture website for Talking About Race
Follow IPAC on Twitter @INProsecutors
Episode 4 – Senator Aaron Freeman
Interview with Indiana State Senator Aaron Freeman
Shaunestte will be talking with Indiana State Senator Aaron Freeman about the work he has done in the legislature to increase the amount of time sexual abuse survivors have to file a civil claim against their perpetrators.
Follow Senator Freeman on Twitter @FreemanForIndy
Episode 5 – Stop Victim Blaming
Interview with Tracey Horth Krueger
Shaunestte will be talking with Tracey Horth Krueger Chief Executive Officer of the Indiana Coalition to End Sexual Assault and Human Trafficking about the issue of victim blaming in cases involving sexual assault. ADVISORY: in this episode Shaunestte and Tracey discuss specific cases of sexual assault. This content can be triggering. Listen with caution.
Episode 6 – A Champion for Children
Interview with Eric Hoffman
Shaunestte will be talking with Delaware County Prosecuting Attorney Eric Hoffman about his work holding perpetrators of child sexual and physical abuse accountable for their actions. Eric talks about a few cases that made a big impact on his career and the role that all adults have in protecting children from abuse.
Episode 7 – What Drives Us
Interview with Greg Laker and Amina Thomas
Shaunestte will be talking with Greg Laker, partner and chair of the personal injury practice and sexual abuse litigation team at Cohen & Malad, LLP and Amina Thomas, attorney and fellow sexual abuse litigation team member.
Episode 8 – Survivor Story: Eileen
Interview with Eileen, a sexual assault survivor
Shaunestte will be talking with Eileen who will share her story. Warning: this episode may be triggering for some. Listen with caution.
Episode 9 – Election 2020
Interview with Ashley Klein Indiana House of Representatives District 39 Candidate
Shaunestte will be talking with Ashley Klein a candidate for Indiana House of Representatives District 39. They will discuss Ms. Klein’s “future focused” campaign and her desire to protect children as well as increase resources for education and build a stronger community.
Episode 10 – How Jenny’s Law Helps Survivors
Interview with Indiana State Senator Michael Crider, District 28
Shaunestte talks with Indiana State Senator Michael Crider about the work that went into the creation and adoption of Jenny’s Law and how that legislation helps sexual assault survivors and more.
Episode 11 – Survivor Story: Eric
Interview with Eric, A Sexual Abuse Survivor
Shaunestte will be talking with Eric who will share his story. This is a special two-part episode. Warning: this episode may be triggering for some. Listen with caution.
Episode 12 – Survivor Story: Eric part 2
Part 2 of Interview with Eric, A Sexual Abuse Survivor
Tune in to the conclusion of Shaunestte’s discussion with Eric. Warning: this episode may be triggering for some. Listen with caution.
Episode 13 – Sexual Assault Examinations
Interview with Barbra Bachmeier, JD, MSN, APRN, NP-C, DF-AFN, FAEN
Shaunestte talks with nurse attorney Barbra Bachmeier about sexual assault examinations. They will discuss the purpose of the exam as well as general procedures that sexual assault nurse examiners (SANEs) follow to gather evidence that will assist law enforcement as well as provide after-care resources for the patient.
Episode 14 – Why Therapy Is Important For Survivors
Interview with Dr. Lisa Elwood
Shaunestte talks with clinical psychologist Dr. Lisa Elwood about the effects sexual trauma has on the mental health of sexual abuse survivors. They discuss how therapy can help people struggling with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and negative behaviors that can arise as a result of sexual trauma.
Episode 15 – Season 2 Kickoff
Welcome to Season 2 of Support For Survivors! We are happy to return for another season and continue these important conversations. Shaunestte gives a brief description of what’s in store for listeners. Thanks for tuning in.
Episode 16 – Serial Predator Jeffrey Epstein
Tune in to this first in a series of episodes about the legal battle against serial sexual predator Jeffrey Epstein. Shaunestte and producer Jaime will talk about who Epstein was and discuss the events that led to James Patterson’s book Filthy Rich: The Jeffrey Epstein Story, attorney Bradley Edwards’ Book Relentless Pursuit: My fight for the victims of Jeffrey Epstein, and the Netflix documentary Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich, which was based on James Patterson’s book.
Episode 17 – Relentless Pursuit of Epstein
This is our second episode in the Epstein series. We invited attorney Bradley Edwards to talk with us about his book Relentless Pursuit: My fight for the victims of Jeffrey Epstein. Due to scheduling issues, Brad has not been able to speak with us yet. However, in this episode Shaunestte and Producer Jaime briefly talk about the unique perspective of this case that Brad provides with his book.
Episode 18 – Making the Epstein Documentary
Interview with Lisa Bryant, Director of Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich Documentary
This is the third episode of our Jeffrey Epstein series. Shaunestte interviews Lisa Bryant, the Director, Executive Producer and Showrunner of the Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich documentary that appears on Netflix. We are so excited to have Lisa on our show and talk about her experience in making the award- winning four-part series. Lisa discusses the importance of allowing the women who came forward and reported their abuse the appropriate space and time to share their truth along with interesting case developments that evolved while filming. Thank you to Lisa for not only giving these survivors a platform but also taking the time to talk with Shaunestte about her work.
Episode 19 – Survivor Story: Michelle
Interview with Michelle, A Sexual Assault Survivor
Host Shaunestte Terrell talks with Michelle a sexual assault survivor. Michelle shares her story and her personal path to healing which she documents in her book Found: Triumph Over Fear with Grace and Gratitude. Warning- this episode may be triggering to some people. Listen with care.
Episode 20– Serial Predator Larry Nassar
Tune in to this first in a series of episodes about the Netflix documentary Athlete A and the sexual abuse of female athletes at USA Gymnastics. We will discuss the toxic culture, cover-ups, and overall failure to protect these girls from sexual predators like team physician Larry Nassar, coach John Geddert and others.
Episode 21– Making the Athlete A Documentary
Interview with Jon Shenk, Co-director of Athlete A documentary
We are so excited to share our second episode in the Athlete A documentary discussion with you. In this episode Shaunestte interviews Jon Shenk, the director of Athlete A. Jon and Shaunestte discuss the culture of abuse within USA Gymnastics and how team doctor Larry Nassar was able to groom not only the athletes he treated but also many of the adults around him as he committed countless acts of sexual abuse.
Episode 22– IndyStar Exposes Sexual Abuse within USA Gymnastics
Interview with Indianapolis Star reporter Tim Evans and photo journalist Robert Scheer
Our final installment of this three-part series features an interview with Tim Evans and Robert Scheer. Tim is a reporter at The Indianapolis Star reporter and Robert is a photo journalist at The Indianapolis Star. Both of our guests interviewed dozens of women who came forward to report emotional and sexual abuse perpetrated by Larry Nassar and other USA Gymnastics team doctors. Tim and Robert share details with Shaunestte about how this story began, the discoveries the team made through the depth of their investigation, and the detailed checks and balances that journalists must adhere to in order to responsibly report a story.
Episode 23– Survivor Story: Shauna
Interview with Shauna, a sexual abuse survivor
Host Shaunestte Terrell talks with Shauna, a sexual abuse survivor. Shauna was sexually abused by her father when she was a child. She talks about her experience and the courage it took for her to come forward and report the abuse. WARNING: this episode may be triggering to some people. Listen with care.
Episode 24– What Happened at Miracle Meadows?
Tune in to the first of a two part series about the physical and sexual abuse reported by kids housed at Miracle Meadows School, a residential treatment center located in West Virginia.
In this first episode Shaunestte and Producer Jaime discuss a brief timeline of events at Miracle Meadows and have a deeper conversation about the changes needed at residential treatment centers in order to ensure proper care is given to children in need.
Episode 25– Justice for Miracle Meadows Children
Interview with Brian Kent and Guy D’Andrea
This is the second of our two-part series about the physical and sexual abuse reported by kids housed at Miracle Meadows School, a residential treatment center located in West Virginia. Shaunestte interviews attorneys Brian Kent and Guy D’Andrea, who along with their co-counsel, represented twenty-nine former students in civil litigation against school administrators and faculty.
Episode 26– Survivor Story: Stephanie
Interview with Stephanie, a sexual abuse survivor
Host Shaunestte Terrell talks with Stephanie, a sexual abuse survivor. Stephanie talks about her journey of healing after sexual abuse which includes writing a book Transformation After Trauma: Embracing Post-Traumatic Growth and becoming a life coach to help others on their own path to achievement.
Episode 27– Survivor Story: Ashley
Interview with Ashley, a sexual abuse survivor
We continue our Survivor Series with Ashley. Ashley was sexually abused by her teacher when she high school. She shares how she got the courage to come forward and report her abuse and how change is needed in the way that schools handle reports of sexual abuse.
Episode 28– Survivor Story: Rolf
Interview with Rolf, a sexual abuse survivor
Our next Survivor Series interview is with Rolf. Rolf was sexually abused as a boy by his father. He talks about how the trauma impacted his life and how he was able to gather the courage to confront his father about the abuse later in life as part of his healing journey.
Episode 29– Survivor Story: Ayanda
Interview with Ayanda, a sexual abuse survivor
Our popular Survivor Series continues with Ayanda. She was sexually abused as a child by a family friend and then later by a neighborhood gang. Ayanda shares her struggles dealing with the trauma and finding her path to healing. She has published two books about her experience and created a yoga practice that is centered on trauma-informed yoga for survivors of sexual abuse. A full transcript is available in the show notes.
Warning- this episode may be triggering to some people. Please listen with care.
Episode 30– Survivor Story: Erin
Interview with Erin, a sexual abuse survivor
Our next interview in our survivor series is with Erin. Erin talks about her life as a “faculty kid” on the campus of Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina and the sexual assault she suffered by an older classmate while she was a resident and student of the university.
Episode 31– Season 2 Comes to a Close
Thank you for listening to our second season of Support for Survivors. We will be taking a few weeks off as we prepare more great content for you coming up in season 3! Stay tuned.
Episode 32– Survivor Story: Tenita
Welcome back for Season 3 of Support for Survivors! This season kicks off with our popular Survivor Series. Listen in as Tenita shares her journey from victim to survivor to thriver.
Episode 33– Indiana Primary May 3
Interview with Hamilton County Prosecutor D. Lee Buckingham II
Shaunestte talks with Lee Buckingham, Prosecuting Attorney for Hamilton County. The Indiana primary election is May 3rd and Lee is running for re-election. They discuss how the population in Hamilton County has grown over the years and the work that Lee’s office has done to support public safety efforts and serve its residents.
Episode 34– Survivor Story: Kelly
Interview with Kelly, a sexual abuse survivor
Shaunestte talks with Kelly, a survivor of childhood sexual abuse and advocate. Kelly shares her story about abuse and healing and talks about her podcast called Survivor Sanctuary that she produces & hosts which is focused on examining issues that many survivors of sexual abuse face.
Episode 35– New Indiana Laws to Help Sexual Assault Victims
Interview with Courtney Curtis, Assistant Executive Director of IPAC
Shaunestte and Courtney discuss how HB1079 “Elements of Rape Bill”, that will become law July 1, 2022, will better serve victims of sexual assault in their pursuit of justice. They also talk about the important work several legislators are doing to further assist victims of rape and other violent crimes.
Episode 36– Survivor Story: Arlette
Interview with Arlette, a sexual abuse survivor
Shaunestte continues our Survivor Series with Arlette. Arlette was sexually abused as a child and talks about how she went from victim to survivor to thriver. She shares important aspects of her healing journey and discusses the similarities between physical healing and mental healing.
Episode 37– Sexual Abuse Within Faith Communities
Interview with attorney Boz Tchividjian
Host Shaunestte Terrell talks with Boz Tchividjian, a fellow attorney who represents sexual abuse survivors in civil courts throughout the US. They discuss the impact the trauma of sexual abuse perpetrated by leaders and trusted advisors within a church environment has on victims and what churches can do better to protect & help their communities. This is an important conversation for everyone regardless of religion.
Episode 38– Survivor Story: Amy
Interview with Amy, a sexual abuse survivor
Our next Survivor Series interview is with Amy. Shaunestte talks with Amy about her survivor journey which includes being sexually abused as a child and later in life as an adult. While seeking therapy to heal from the trauma of childhood sexual abuse, Amy was sexually abused by her therapist.
Episode 39– Addressing Sexual Abuse through Advocacy, Engagement and Education
Interview with Beth White, President and CEO of the Indiana Coalition to End Sexual Assault and Human Trafficking
Shaunestte talks with Beth White about the work ICESAHT is doing throughout the state to help sexual abuse and assault survivors heal from their trauma and the important role sexual assault prevention education plays in creating safe environments for everyone.
Episode 40– Background Checks and Abuse Prevention
Interview with Mike McCarty, Founder and CEO of Safe Hiring Solutions
Shaunestte welcomes Mike McCarty to the show. The two discuss the important role that background screening plays in helping schools, churches, non-profit organizations and corporations make good hiring decisions and keep sexual predators and violent offenders away from children and other vulnerable people. They also talk about the upcoming Regional Church Safety Summit: Creating a Culture of Abuse Prevention scheduled for September 22, 2022.
