Our blog covers a diverse range of topics aligned with our mission of harnessing the power of knowledge, compassion, and innovation to create a world free from sexual and social violence. The blog content is designed to be informative, thought-provoking, and aligned with our core values and objectives. By sharing knowledge, insights, and updates, we aim to engage our audience, foster discussion, and contribute to the ongoing efforts to address the critical issues within our scope of work.
All Highlights
How Safety Planning Can Make Campus Life Safer from Sexual Violence
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, a time for mental health professionals to enhance their understanding of sexual violence while supporting prevention efforts in various settings. Educational institutions in particular have a unique opportunity to leverage this awareness by implementing evidence-based training programs addressing consent, bystander intervention, and trauma-informed responses ...
Supporting Autistic Individuals: Moving from Awareness to Acceptance
April is World Autism Acceptance Month, a time to embrace the diversity and unique contributions of individuals with autism. This year's theme, "Celebrate Differences," emphasizes the importance of moving beyond awareness toward meaningful acceptance. This shift invites mental health professionals and society to see autism as a natural and valuable ...
Child Abuse Prevention Month: Early Intervention, Trauma-Informed Care, and Community Support
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness about protecting children and supporting families. Among the many challenges in preventing abuse, one critical issue often overlooked is addressing problematic sexual behaviors in youths. Research shows that adolescents commit over 70% of sexual abuse against minors—substantially higher ...
Overcoming Obstacles to Accurate Personal Histories in Sexual Offense Cases
An accurate, comprehensive personal history is crucial for therapists to get to the root of a client's challenges, and it helps them look beyond surface-level symptoms to understand how past events and relationships have shaped the client’s harmful behaviors. By connecting current issues with past experiences, therapists can identify recurring ...
Social Work Month 2025: Compassion + Action
March is Social Work Month, a time to recognize the profound impact social workers have on our communities. The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) has chosen "Social Work: Compassion + Action" as this year's theme, emphasizing the essential balance social workers maintain between empathetic engagement and decisive action in ...
Women’s History Month 2025: Honoring Fay Honey Knopp’s Legacy in Prison Reform and Sexual Violence Prevention
March marks Women's History Month, a time when we recognize women who have shaped American history through their courage, resilience, and innovation. This year's theme, "Moving Forward Together," spotlights women who have dedicated their lives to education, mentorship, and leadership in shaping the minds and futures of all generations. At ...
Substance Use and Mental Health in Justice-Involved Male Youths
by Claudia S. Mesa, M.A., & Dawn M. Pflugradt, PsyD, LP, LCSW Adolescence is a unique developmental period characterized by significant maturation of all bodily systems. As such, clinicians and researchers have been interested in understanding the impact that substances have on the developing individual. Alcohol and marijuana use during ...
Validation Before Intervention: Christin Santiago’s Keys to Unlocking a Youth’s Potential
For over 25 years, recreational therapist Christin Santiago has dedicated her career to working with young people who have been labeled by society such things as "dangerous," "aggressive," or "problematic." In her TED Talk "Empowerment Through Understanding," she discusses her work with teens and kids who present with challenging behaviors ...
