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?
Yesterday, I was a featured speaker at UCI Law School’s series on the #MeToo movement. Our discussion: Victims of child sexual abuse and sexual assault have been empowered to speak out about what happened to us. But what do we do to change the systemic problem in our institutions that made this abuse and cover-up…Continue reading #MeToo: Making a Movement
*** UPDATE! THE BOOK IS FREE ON AMAZON RIGHT NOW! YOU CAN DOWNLOAD IT HERE**** *** BUT ACT SOON! IT WON’T BE FREE FOR LONG! *** You can’t afford to miss this awesome offer … but you have to let me know you want it. This is not a secret or a special deal. The…Continue reading New book based on blockbuster TEDx Talk is yours for FREE
We must embrace responsibility. Once we do, every one of us has limitless possibility and potential.
I wrote two pieces in September’s issue of OC Family. CASA’s volunteers make a difference in the lives of Orange County’s foster children and TWO LOCAL NON-PROFITS HELP KIDS IN THE FOSTER SYSTEM It’s nice to write about good news for a change.
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.
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
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
You’ve been bugging me for years. So now you can all clam up and put your money where you mouth is. YES, MY SON. WINE IS ONE OF THE FIVE FOOD GROUPS, the definitive collection of my humorous Facebook posts, is available for your Kindle (or your ebook reader on your computer) and in paperback. And while I…Continue reading You asked. We listened.
I get TONS of questions. Lots. So many in fact, that I ended up writing a book. But there are some questions that don’t really have a place in the book. There are others with answers that need to be reiterated … and reiterated … until you feel like you’ve been bludgeoned by Mjolnir. (Just ask my…Continue reading New feature: Ask a Question Friday
Last, week, I spoke with Miranda Dempsey McCroskey of Lawpreneur Radio about the importance of civil rights for crime victims, how plaintiffs’ attorneys have been instrumental in exposing abuse … and, of course, THE WELL-ARMORED CHILD. The podcast is up and you can listen here. Or, you can check out the interview on iTunes.
It’s that time of year again. You’ve made the rounds to the local big box and office supply stores. You have scoured every children’s clothing section in a 20-mile radius for “fashion-forward”—yet “tastefully modest”—school wear. You have soccer snacks, cleats, football gear, cheer uniforms and a brand new lunch box. But there is one more…Continue reading A back-to-school “Must Have” that can save your child from abuse
My op-ed in today’s Lafayette Advertiser: Releasing priests’ names a matter of public safety
I am very excited to announce that I have found a literary agent for THE WELL-ARMORED CHILD. Since I haven’t “signed on the dotted line” yet, I’ll keep the name under wraps. Besides, everyone loves a little suspense. It builds character. And yeah … I’m excited.
This past Sunday, I had a bit of an epiphany. I was getting ready to receive an award for my work on behalf of SNAP for creating awareness for support groups. The organization honoring us—SHARE! The Self Help and Recovery Exchange—is an awesome non-profit that provides more than 140 support groups a week, helps people in crisis…Continue reading It all started with a support group
Last month, I received a very lovely rejection letter from a well-respected New York agent who had asked to review the entire proposal for THE WELL-ARMORED CHILD. She liked the book, loved the writing, but told me that she just didn’t think the market for the book was “robust” enough. A story yesterday on CNN.com…Continue reading Think that parents don’t want a “toolkit” book to prevent abuse? Think again
I am so flattered and overwhelmed to be honored with the Susan Laufer Award for Outstanding Contribution to Support Group Awareness for “tireless work in spreading the word about support groups for those abused by priests.” If you would like to come, PLEASE let me know. We want you there to join us. You can also…Continue reading An honor I am overwhelmed to receive …
A breaking story today has kept my phone ringing off the hook: A southern California third grader has been accused of sexually assaulting a classmate numerous times during the past year. School administrators only found out about it when other students at an after-school program reported what they saw. (Kudos to those kids!) Tragic? Yes.…Continue reading When children abuse: A preventable tragedy
I am super-duper excited to announce my next book project: Raising the Armored Kid: A victim and advocate gives you the tools to help your children stay safe from sexual abuse (working title) This easy-to-read, easy-to-use book will teach parents, caregivers and loved ones common sense strategies that will help children stay safe from child sexual abuse.…Continue reading Big Announcement
I have not seen the series premiere yet, but Showtime is streaming the whole first episode of their new series RAY DONOVAN on YouTube. According to the Facebook page: “Set in the sprawling mecca of the rich and famous, RAY DONOVAN does the dirty work for LA’s top power players. The one-hour drama series stars Liev…Continue reading New Showtime series addresses Catholic Clergy Abuse Crisis
