Click here to listen to my recent interview on RadioMD, discussing easy and clear ways to prevent child sexual abuse.
Category: Parenting
The Not-So-Secret Institutional Code Words for Child Sex Abuse
There has been no shortage of news this summer when it comes to the US clergy sex abuse crisis. Although the Vatican is attempting to clean up the mess as much as possible before Pope Francis’ September visit (including accepting the resignations of the St. Paul and Minneapolis archbishop and bishop, as well as…Continue reading The Not-So-Secret Institutional Code Words for Child Sex Abuse
My latest guest post …
MommyNoire features my latest post on keeping your kids safer this summer.
Let’s jump-start bullying prevention
One of my closest friends once told me, “When you really think about it, bullying is just low-level sexual abuse.” That thought stuck with me. What also stuck with me is how prevention of bullying is similar to the prevention of child sexual abuse. It requires good communication, strong self-esteem, and engaged parents who understand the…Continue reading Let’s jump-start bullying prevention
The OC WarmLine
I was at the doctor’s office the other day when I saw a card for the OC WarmLine. Sponsored by the National Alliance of Mental Illness-Orange County, the WarmLine is staffed by “warm, friendly voices” who can provide help with substance abuse or mental health concerns (including depression), provide referrals for mental health…Continue reading The OC WarmLine
Beyond the Duggars
My latest piece in the Generation X: Are You There God, It’s Me blog focuses on the Duggars and five things we can all do to prevent and identify child-on-child abuse. You can read it here.
TEDx PasadenaWomen
It’s been two weeks since I was on the TEDx stage. I am still reeling at the amazing day, the supernatural speakers, and the wonderful friends I made. I spoke about the power of responsibility and how—when we take responsibility for our emotions, reactions, and decisions—we can create the future that we WANT. Other speakers…Continue reading TEDx PasadenaWomen
Ambassador of Peace
Last week, I learned that I have been selected as a 2015 Ambassador of Peace award winner by the Violence Prevention Coalition of Orange County. That’s some pretty cool news! I was nominated by my cousin and friend Darcy Fehringer-Mask*, who won the award herself in 2008 for her work in diversity and anti-bias education,…Continue reading Ambassador of Peace
Inside the TEDx speaker’s mind
What do you do when you get the chance of a lifetime? Worry. And sweat. I was selected to be a speaker for the May 30 TEDx Pasadena Women conference. Being a speaker at TED and TEDx are HUGE goals of mine … so I have to admit: when I received the acceptance, I thought that…Continue reading Inside the TEDx speaker’s mind
A wake-up call for the Boy Scouts
Yesterday, a 17-year-old victim of child sexual abuse in the Boy Scouts filed a sex abuse and cover-up lawsuit against the local Sacramento council and the national Boy Scout organization. The victim, who waited until after he earned the honor of Eagle Scout to file the lawsuit, was molested by a former Assistant Scout…Continue reading A wake-up call for the Boy Scouts
Helping the supporters
I had the opportunity to work with a very strong and brave group of clergy sex abuse survivors over the weekend. Two things struck me: Their total bravery and willingness to grow beyond trauma, and Their compassion for friends and family members who want to be loving and helpful, but don’t know what to say or do.…Continue reading Helping the supporters
TEDx PasadenaWomen
Katie, bar the door: I have been invited to speak at TEDx PasadenaWomen. To say I am excited would be an understatement. Achieving this kind of goal—speaking in front of engaged and visionary women at a TEDx event—has been mind-blowing. What will I be talking about? Well, that’s a secret. What is TEDx PasadenaWomen?…Continue reading TEDx PasadenaWomen
SNL pushes the line too far—and how to push back
It’s not 1984 anymore. But Saturday Night Live forgot that this past weekend. Yesterday, I discussed what we can learn from the awful Barbara Walters/Mary Kay LeTourneau interview aired last Friday. But ABC is not alone in its total disregard for the damage caused by adult women who sexually abuse children (girls and boys). NBC…Continue reading SNL pushes the line too far—and how to push back
What we can learn from the LeTourneau interview
Barbara Walters’ interview with convicted child molester Mary Kay LeTourneau and her once-victim-now-husband Vili Fualaau was gut wrenching. The romanticization of the abuse was awful enough. But giving a woman like LeTourneau a platform to justify what she did is reprehensible. Being outraged or upset about the interview doesn’t help anyone. But talking about her predatory…Continue reading What we can learn from the LeTourneau interview
Today’s interview on KFI’s Bill Carroll Show
This morning I spoke with KFI 640 AM’s Bill Carroll about my new book, child sex abuse and cover-up, and why we are seeing more female teachers being arrested for sexually abusing boys. It was a great conversation—covering everything from internet safety to the importance of civil and criminal laws that protect kids and expose…Continue reading Today’s interview on KFI’s Bill Carroll Show
Bullying prevention workshop April 29
Remember: Bullying is abuse. It’s a crime of power, just like child sexual abuse. I hope you can join us in Costa Mesa, CA this April 29.
The Well-Armored Child is chugging along
I just got the cover design for THE WELL-ARMORED CHILD. Everything is on track for my September publication date!
Giving the “Compassionate Response” to the adult victim of child sexual abuse
If we can share our story with someone who responds with empathy and understanding, shame can’t survive. – Brené Brown, Daring Greatly One of the most common emails I get is from people who say, “Joelle, my friend just told me that s/he was sexually abused as a child. I don’t know what…Continue reading Giving the “Compassionate Response” to the adult victim of child sexual abuse
An epidemic of child sex abuse in our public schools
There’s a banner that hangs outside of Costa Mesa’s (California) Whittier Elementary School. Its slogan— Children are our first priority—is a painfully ironic reminder of one of the biggest problems plaguing our public schools. That problem is child sexual abuse by public school employees—an epidemic that is raging out of control. Don’t believe it’s a problem?…Continue reading An epidemic of child sex abuse in our public schools
A question about adult victims
I am currently reading SPLIT: A CHILD, A PRIEST AND THE CATHOLIC CHURCH by my friend Mary Dispenza. Abuse memoirs are usually a tough read, but Mary discusses her life with grace and respect—very similar to the way she lives her life. While I am not done with the book, something struck me at the…Continue reading A question about adult victims