About
Our Mission
​SSTA AWARE was founded on the belief that our personal narratives not only connect us, but have the power to create meaningful conversations that drive positive change around the pressing global issue of sibling sexual trauma and abuse. SSTA AWARE seeks to be a global leader in spreading awareness through the stories of empowered lived experts. We aim to educate the public about this silent epidemic, generate research and data, and offer hope and help to those suffering.
​SSTA is believed to be the most prevalent form of intrafamilial sexual abuse, more prevalent than adult/child sexual abuse and yet is still very much under-recognized and underreported. Data and research are still limited, and government agencies continue to group sibling sexual abuse under the same umbrella of childhood sexual abuse without understanding the distinct differences between sexual abuse perpetrated by and adult and sexual abuse carried out by a sibling.
Until recently it has been difficult to find information, support, and a community dealing with SSTA. In the last few years more people have bravely been telling their story to help shine a spotlight on this silent epidemic. Through their persistence, SSTA is slowly finding its way out of the shadows and into the light of the public consciousness. It is the stories that help drive research. Stories reveal the prevalence and patterns of trauma and behavior. The more we tell our stories, the better we can understand, educate, and prevent future families from dealing with this trauma.
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SSTA AWARE started with one person, and one story.
Reaching out to colleges, churches, parent support groups, and front line workers, Colleen brought awareness to her immediate community, but one person and one story is not enough.
It is SSTA AWARE's goal to train a legion of lived experts to spread awareness across the globe.
Every day thousands of children are joining the ranks of the millions of people already living with the fear, guilt, and shame of childhood sexual abuse. Based on data, today in Los Angeles, over 65,000 children between the ages of 5-18 are being sexually harmed by a sibling. New York, over 38,000. London, over 36,000. Canada, Australia, Japan; across the globe children are being harmed by a sibling, yet no one wants to talk about it.
Every story has the power to reach someone in need of help and support. Every story has the power to educate the public to drive research and prevention. Every story has the power to keep one child from living this trauma.
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I have been telling my story to friends and family for the last 25 years to process and free myself from the shame that silenced me for the first 30. Today I tell my story to shine a light on this silent epidemic and give others hope. I have a Master’s in Community Psychology from Antioch University in Los Angeles and I am a certified instructor in ECHO Training and Education, a nonviolent, trauma informed practice.
Over the years my goal has always been the same, to grow, heal, and give space for others to feel seen and heard. As I advocate for myself, I advocate for you. Wherever you are, know that there is a community of people that have walked in your shoes and understand your pain. You are not alone.
With Gratitude,
Colleen Mullowney Psy. M.