The Awareness Campaign

Talking about sibling sexual trauma and abuse is uncomfortable. We get it. It is one of the last great taboos. Yet, not talking about sibling sexual trauma and abuse has the ability to destroy lives. Trauma affects the brain and nervous system creating a lifetime of challenges for those harmed and those who harm. From PTSD, anxiety, and depression, to self harm and increased risk of long-term illnesses such and heart disease, cancer, and stroke. It tears families apart, pitting siblings against each other and making parents take sides. Often, the one who is harmed is ostracized, leaving them to heal alone.

 

SSTA AWARE created this awareness campaign to reach those affected and those unaware, in a way that is honest and informative, without shame or blame. ​Colleges are a natural destination for our Awareness Campaign, as they are filled with the future professionals of tomorrow. SSTA AWARE wants students entering public service vocations - be it mental health professions, social workers, nurses, lawyers, or criminal justice - to have the information needed to help assess, heal, and rehabilitate those affected by sibling sexual trauma and abuse. 

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​Parent support groups, churches, and frontline workers are filled with the parents of young children and their allies, and we want them all to have the information needed to help prevent and assess those affected by sibling sexual trauma and abuse. It is difficult to address, but ignoring this form of childhood sexual abuse only perpetuates its existence. Giving parents the tools to prevent or address this, can literally save lives and families.

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Finding an audience is not always easy, so SSTA AWARE has taken their campaign to the streets, relying on the power of storytelling through open mic nights across Southern California. Any opportunity to reach an audience is an opportunity to offer help and hope. Our goal with storytelling is to humanize the experience and shine a light on this silent epidemic. As a novice writer, Colleen took to the stage to develop her voice.  Her stories are centered around the journey of healing from trauma without blame or shame, to educate the public to drive prevention, and give hope to those already affected. Below is a clip from her first Moth Story Slam at the Los Globos Theater, Los Angeles. 

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​​​​If you or someone you know would like to join our cause, please reach out to us below. 

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