For years, I believed my teenage abuse “didn’t count.” As I rebuilt the NCSESAME website and read other survivor stories, I finally saw the truth I had minimized for decades — and the silence that shaped my life began to crack.
For years, I believed my teenage abuse “didn’t count.” As I rebuilt the NCSESAME website and read other survivor stories, I finally saw the truth I had minimized for decades — and the silence that shaped my life began to crack.
Yes, yes. It’s been a minute. Life got loud. But I’m back, and there’s a lot going on—some of it even includes plane food. In April, I had the honor of being a featured speaker at the Hawaii State Department of Education’s SAFE AND SUPPORTIVE SCHOOLS: Child Safety Conference 2025. What’s better than a room…Continue reading News and Updates
Recent hazing and violence lawsuits against Mater Dei have alerted a lot of noses to a stink that has been brewing for years: decades of child sexual abuse, hazing, and cover-up at the infamous high school. The parents of a recent hazing victim remarked to me that they had had no idea about the scandals…Continue reading School for Scandal 101: Santa Ana’s Mater Dei High School
PLEASE LISTEN, SUBSCRIBE, AND SHARE! You asked. I answered. The PODCAST is finally here. Join me at the SpotTheLine table of experts as we talk about Andrew Cuomo, the fascinating history of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and abuse and assault prevention. Two episodes and a preview are up, everywhere you get your podcasts.
Joelle yacks about a lot of stuff in a lot more places than just this blog. So, for those of you who can’t get enough … The San Jose Mercury News interviewed me about J. Patrick Foley, one of the priests in “the San Diego Eight” list. The Pacific Daily News asked me about more…Continue reading Joelle said WHAT?