 Stacy A. Collins serves as the Secretary of Cry Heard Support, Inc. She brings over 41 years of experience working with the L.A. Superior Court as a Judicial Assistant, where she has developed a deep commitment to justice, integrity, and community service. Stacy holds a Master of Science in Mental Health and Wellness with an emphasis in Family Dynamics. Through her role with Cry Heard Support, Inc., Stacy combines her professional expertise and passion for service to help create a supportive environment for those in need. Detective Jill Calhoun, Detective Support and Vice Division Los Angeles Police Department Jill Calhoun is a dedicated law enforcement professional with 16 years of experience serving the City of Los Angeles. Throughout her career, she has worked in multiple specialized assignments, including Patrol, Narcotics, Special Problems Unit, Missing Persons, Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC), Mental Evaluation Unit’s Case Assessment Management Team, and Human Trafficking Unit (HTU). She has performed these duties in both a Uniform and Undercover capacity. While every assignment has shaped her career, Jill’s deepest passion lies in combating human trafficking and child sexual exploitation. Her fight against trafficking is personal—early in her police career, she discovered that a close friend had been a victim of human trafficking. This revelation fueled her lifelong commitment to the important cause. While working at HTU she worked to identify, locate and rescue exploited minors while aggressively pursuing their traffickers. Jill has worked extensively on high-risk investigations, collaborating with specialized task forces and advocacy groups to ensure justice for victims and accountability for perpetrators. She is equally committed to education and prevention, equipping officers and communities with the tools needed to recognize and intervene in trafficking situations. A former collegiate athlete, Jill earned a Bachelor of Arts in Administration of Justice from Howard University. Beyond law enforcement, Jill is deeply involved in community service. She serves as a Commissioner for the Human Relations Commission in Carson, where she works to promote community harmony and social equity. Jill remains steadfast in her mission to protect the vulnerable, educate the public, and strengthen the relationship between law enforcement and the communities they serve.  Autumn Fannin McKamie, LMFT received her Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Humboldt State University in 2014. She has worked with various populations including children, teens, adults, and families in treatment and outpatient settings. She approaches therapy from multiple therapeutic orientations, primarily person-centered/humanistic, cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic, solution-focused and strengths-based techniques. She believes therapy is very much about the human experience and learning to develop healthy supportive relationships to foster outside of therapy. Furthermore, she believes that therapy provides an opportunity to have a vulnerable experience within a supportive framework and create a healthy self-view. Outside of work, Autumn enjoys watching thriller/action/mystery movies, cooking, playing video games, attending church, reading suspense books, spending time with her family, being out in nature, and sharing her love for zombies. Rising Together: Honoring Sexual Assault Awareness Month On April 27, 2025, Board Members, Autumn Fannin McKamie, shared powerful words in recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, reminding us that behind every statistic is a human being with a story of resilience and strength. According to RAINN, the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization, an American is sexually assaulted every 68 seconds. Approximately 90% of rape victims are female, and 10% are male. These numbers are staggering, but they also highlight the urgent need for awareness, compassion, and support. Survivors are more than what happened to them. Like the phoenix, they rise—transformed, scarred, yet stronger. This journey is deeply personal and often painful, but it is also one marked by immense courage and hope. To support survivors, we must:
Statistics:
Per RAINN, every 68 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted (using the National Crime Victimization Survey, NCVS by the Justice Department)
Ways to support and what not to do:
Acronym:
Resources:
* You ARE NOT what happened to you.  By Robert Hendricks, Founder of Cry Heard Support Inc.
As a sexual abuse survivor, I’ve encountered a dismissive phrase that many in our community find triggering: “Tell another story; stop being addicted to your story.” This statement is not just a misstep; it highlights a profound misunderstanding of what sharing our experiences truly means. Victim vs. Survivor: Understanding the Difference First, it’s crucial to differentiate between the terms “victim” and “survivor.” A victim is often seen as someone who suffers through no fault of their own, trapped in a narrative of hopelessness. In contrast, a survivor is someone who has faced sexual abuse, lived to tell their story, and desires to do so. The distinction is vital; we are not merely recounting our trauma—we are reclaiming our narratives. The Power of Sharing Our Stories Breaking the silence around abuse is one of the hardest challenges we face. Judgments, even from those who share similar experiences, can feel like additional slaps in the face. When we share our stories, we do so not from a place of victimization but from a wellspring of strength, endurance, and growth. Our stories are declarations of survival. They are powerful affirmations that we have overcome our pasts. When we are told to stop sharing, it feels as though we are being asked to silence our victories. Moving Beyond Shame Many survivors carry an immense weight of shame and self-blame. When we share our experiences, we often do so to validate our own realities. Speaking out can transform those feelings into a sense of community—reminding us that we are not alone. Sharing is not about invoking pity; it’s about connection and hope. It’s a way to educate others and dispel misinformation surrounding sexual abuse. Our stories can illuminate the path to healing, showing that life can flourish after trauma. Celebrating Our Survivorship As a male survivor, I am acutely aware of the societal stigma surrounding male victimization. The misconception that men cannot be victims of sexual abuse often leads to silence. For too long, I felt the need to “tough it out,” but sharing my journey has been nothing but empowering. It’s important to note that I still carry my story with me—not as a burden, but as a testament to my resilience. Each time I speak about my experience, I am not revisiting a painful past; I am celebrating who I am today. The Healing Process The journey of healing is not linear; it’s a complex, ongoing process. Some days are harder than others, and there are parts of my story that I may never share. But the act of sharing itself is empowering. It gives me the autonomy to dictate my narrative, and it helps others to see that healing is possible. Why We Need to Speak Up Encouraging survivors to tell their stories is not just about personal healing; it fosters societal change. Here’s why it’s essential to empower survivors:
To everyone who has felt the weight of silence, remember: your story matters. You have the power to choose how to share it, and in doing so, you contribute to a larger narrative of healing and resilience. I will continue to share my story because it empowers me, and it allows others to see that they are not alone. For every person who responds with “that was me too,” I know we are making progress. Let’s honor our journeys, celebrate our survival, and continue to share our stories, not just for ourselves, but for those who will come after us. Each story told chips away at the stigma and paves the way for a more compassionate and understanding world. Today as we observe Labor Day, celebrating the social and economic achievements of American workers.
Empowerment is crucial for sexual assault survivors and education is a key component. This month our focus is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which is quite common among sexual assault survivors. Our aim is to help survivors and those who support them in their recovery by gaining a greater understanding to this reaction or response to trauma.
According to the Mayo Clinic, Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that's triggered by a terrifying event — either experiencing it or witnessing it. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event.1 Read Full Article: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic 1 Used with permission of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, all rights reserved. The trauma from being sexually assaulted can be devastating, leaving you terrified, humiliated, alone, beleaguered by night terrors, flashbacks, and other unpleasant memories. Healing from sexual assault takes time and requires some understanding.
Healing is a Continuum
Healing is not forgetting
>During healing, you may gain the ability to cope with memories and better navigate your emotions. The importance of Dialogue
>Make sure that you seek out trusted, supportive individuals to talk with (close friend). When to Consider Talk Therapy
Strong Indicators for the need of Psychotherapy are:
1 Triggers: The majority of sexual assault survivors have experienced disturbing and painful memories of their assault(s). The survivor is transported back to the original trauma event, causing the survivor to experience overwhelming emotions. Resources: Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN) 1 800 656-4673 (HOPE) National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1 800 273-8255 Donate to Cry Heard Support Inc: Click Below http://www.cryheardsupport.com/about.html If you are contemplating sharing your Survivor story, some pre-planning needs to take place for your wellbeing.
To begin, remind yourself that it is your story. Don’t allow anyone to pressure you to share your survivor story before you are ready. Know that you don't need to share your survivor story to be involved in ending sexual violence (crimes like rape, sexual assault, sexual abuse, human trafficking). It is helpful to have pre-planned support if you decide to share your story. When you feel inspired to speak as a survivor of sexual violence, when, where, how, inclusive of how often is your choice (think empowerment). Many Options Available to Share Your Story There are many options in communicating your story, in front of a public audience is just one. Additional options are via written materials, and online communication (social media). Note, if you chose to share your story only in written form, you can do so anonymously or using an alias. If you decide to share your survivor story via the internet, I suggest writing it out first. Be mindful that content can't be removed entirely once online. Before you hit that send button, sit with the content for a while. Ponder how you might feel differently in the future. Ponder What You Want to Accomplish Think about what you intend to accomplish in communicating your story. Choose how, when, and what details you feel comfortable expressing about your experience. What matters the most is not what others want from you, but what has worth and importance for you. If you aim to educate the public, it does not require sharing every detail of your experience. Consider sharing only information that can be tools for combating self-blame, helping the challenge of not being believed, or the weight of keeping the experience a secret, etc. Communicating your story can be empowering and therapeutic (does not replace therapy). It will be beneficial for you to be clear and consider any concerns you might have for yourself, family, significant others, even friends once you share your survivor story. When sharing your story, you don't need to fake being strong or stoic. Tears do not make you weak or indicate that you are not thriving since your abuse. Be Prepared for Responses to Your Story Be prepared when you share your story, there is the possibility of experiencing disturbing, tactless responses from your audience (family, friends, social media, etc.). It is difficult to adequately predict how others will respond, and some survivors have had negative experiences. When speaking publicly (audience), you might be asked uncomfortable questions. Stay clear of triggers (that which provoke memories or feelings connected to trauma). You are in control of the details you want to share about your story. Only answer questions you are comfortable answering at that time. Some individuals in your audience may be triggered by your experience, so it is best before sharing your account to communicate to individuals that might be triggered, that if they feel the need to leave the room it is ok. A Word of Caution If you are engaged in a criminal or other formal proceeding, related to your sexual violence experience, it would be wise to seek legal counsel about the possible effects of publicly sharing your experience. Legal consultation will help you steer clear of legal implications when sharing specific details of your experience. Finally, keep in mind that social attitudes, while shifting and improving, still often unfairly blame survivors (female and male) and excuse offenders. Don’t allow that to silence your voice, as you transcend from surviving to thriving. We Want to Hear Your Story If you survived sexual violence, we invite you to share your story anonymously (if desired) Further, by sharing your story it is not only empowering but helps to educate others to take measures to prevent and combat Sexual violence. Share Your Story by Emailing: [email protected] Robert Hendricks, Founder of Cry Heard Support Inc While sexual violence is prevalent, it is also preventable. We all can make a contribution in prevention sexual violence. Prevention of sexual violence comes through education and dialogue. Our ultimate goal is to take the education and discussion and place it into action. Join us for the Ask Conference on April 13, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. See flyer for further details. Please call 323 778-2309 or Email [email protected] for attendance confirmation.  |
|
RSS Feed
