Childhood Sexual Abuse Survivor Awareness Month (CSA-SAM) 2024

This year we decided to lean into the healing power of community by creating an activity card for adult survivors, their loved ones, allies, and providers.

Each activity engages participants in something different in hopes to raise awareness for adult survivors of CSA.

You can download your own activity card below and try for five in a row!

CSA-SAM 2024 Activity Card

To request a hard copy of the activity card and accompanying materials, please contact our Kelly Connor, at kelly.connor@wingsfound.org or 303-238-8660 ext.112.

Official Proclamation of CSA-SAM from the State of Colorado

Watch Wings’ CSA-SAM Virtual Kickoff Event for an inspiring and motivating launch of all things CSA-SAM this September. This special event is designed to ignite enthusiasm, raise awareness, and mobilize our community in support of adult survivors this September and beyond. 

CSA-SAM Kickoff

Wing’s Adult Survivors Share speaker series is a new community offering where adult survivors of child sexual abuse share their personal journey of healing and resilience. During this inaugural event, September 28th, you’ll hear from our first guest speaker, Chrysta Bairre, a Wings alumna who participated in a Wings support group. 

Adult Survivors Share with Chrysta Bairre

Donate 

Every donation made to Wings in September 2024 was matched dollar for dollar thanks to the generosity of Lisa Levin Appel. A grand total of $12,457 was raised, which doubled to $24,914! 

As a survivor and Wings’ support group graduate, Lisa knows the courage it takes to speak about and heal from CSA trauma. She dedicates her matching gift to Marilyn Van Derbur Atler and the strength of ALL adult survivors of CSA.    

The need to support survivors continues!  

Donate today to invest in our ongoing work. From crowdfunding to a gift in a loved one’s honor, there are many different ways to support Wings’ mission. Explore them all.   

Our media kit is a great way to get involved this September. There are various images you can share with your networks and ideas for copy.

Check it out here.

• CSA impacts 1 in 4 girls, 1 in 6 boys, and 1 in 5 people of all gender identities (1).
• There are nearly one million adult survivors of CSA in Colorado (2).
• CSA is one of ten adverse childhood experiences, or ACEs, identified by the CDC-Kaiser study (1).
• About 90% of children are sexually abused by someone they know (3).
• 30% of children are abused within their own families (3).
• Only 26% of children disclose their sexual abuse to adults, and even fewer report their experiences to authorities during childhood (12%) (4).
• The average age of reporting for having been sexually abused as a child in either religious or non-religious institutional settings is 52 years old (5).

References

Take a moment this September to browse our reading list of memoirs and stories from adult survivors of CSA. 

Beautiful Badass

by Chrysta Bairre (Wing Alumna)

Beyond Survivor – Rising from the Ashes of Childhood Sexual Abuse

by Jan L. Frayne

Heavy

by Kiese Laymon

Hunger

by Roxane Gay

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

by Maya Angelou

I’m Not Broken

by Jesse Leon

Miss America By Day

by Marilyn Van Derbur

Queering Sexual Violence

anthology edited by Jennifer Patterson

Remember Who the F*ck You Are

by Candyss Love

Unbound: My Story of Liberation and the Birth of the Me Too Movement

by Tarana Burke

Download the reading list as a printable bookmark here.

Below are two featured stories from Wings’ alums Trent & Mary Katherine.

Please be advised that all of the following will touch on CSA.

• A Friend of the Family: is a limited drama series based on the true story of the Broberg family, who were manipulated and betrayed by a close family friend, Robert Berchtold. Set in the 1970s, the series chronicles how Berchtold, a charming and deceitful man, ingratiated himself into the lives of the Brobergs, earning their trust and affection. The series explores the psychological manipulation, the impact on the family, and their struggle to come to terms with the betrayal. It’s a chilling tale of how a seemingly trusted friend can exploit a family’s vulnerabilities, leading to devastating consequences 
• Aly Raisman: Darkness to Light: this special reveals the tumultuous journey to healing from the perspective of sexual abuse survivors, following the three-time Olympic gold medalist as she advocates for survivors while sharing personal accounts and coping strategies that have helped on her own journey of healing.
• At the Heart of Gold: is a documentary that chronicles the lives affected by the Larry Nassar sexual-abuse criminal case that shook the sports world. 
• Happy Valley: is a sports documentary about the children of “Happy Valley” who were victimized for years by the Head coach of the legendary Penn State college football program. But were Jerry Sandusky’s crimes an open secret? With rare access, director Amir Bar-Lev delves beneath the headlines to tell a modern American parable of guilt, redemption, and identity. 

• Leave No Trace: is a 2018 documentary that examines the scandal surrounding the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) and its handling of sexual abuse allegations over decades. The film delves into the widespread abuse that occurred within the organization, revealing how BSA leadership covered up allegations to protect the institution’s reputation. The documentary features interviews with survivors, legal experts, and former scouts, painting a picture of the systematic failure to protect vulnerable children.
• Leaving Neverland: is a docuseries that follows the two parallel stories of two young boys befriended by Michael Jackson, drawing them and their families into his enchanting world. Captivated by the pop star’s fairy-tale lifestyle, the families failed to see the manipulation and abuse that would eventually unfold. 

• Miss America By Day: is a documentary focusing on the life of Marilyn Van Derbur Atler. She appeared to have it all–from a prominent family, crowned Miss America, enjoyed a successful television career, sought-after as a motivational speaker, named “Outstanding Woman Speaker in America”, married to her high school sweetheart, and raising a beautiful daughter. But at age 53, she revealed a sinister secret of trauma and shame: Marilyn had been a victim of childhood incest at the hands of her father. Her courageous public disclosure changed her life — from one of celebrity — to healer of tens of thousands of abuse survivors. 
• Quiet on Set: is a docuseries that delves into the hidden realities and struggles experienced by child actors, crew members, and industry insiders during the peak of 1990s kids’ television. The series uncovers disturbing truths, revealing instances of misconduct, abuse, and misogyny that were prevalent behind the scenes. It emphasizes the legacy of showrunner Dan Schneider and the toxic culture that permeated iconic children’s shows from the late 1990s to the early 2000s. 
• Relative (Survivor-directed): is a documentary focused on a filmmaker unearthing the pervasive history of multigenerational trauma in her Italian-American family. As decades of secrets, home-movies, and long-avoided conversations surface, a family once bound by tradition forges a new path forward. 

• Scouts Honor: is a documentary about how one of the largest youth organizations in the U.S. — with over 700,000 members — tried to cover up one of the most widespread child sexual abuse scandals in history. 
• Simone Biles Rising: is a multi-episode series focusing on Simone Biles’ transformative journey after stepping away from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics due to mental health struggles. The docuseries follows her as she overcomes past traumas, rebuilds her gymnastics skills, and prepares for a triumphant return to the Olympic stage in Paris. 

• Spotlight: is a 2015 drama based on the true story of the Boston Globe’s investigative journalism team, known as “Spotlight.” The film follows the team’s efforts to uncover the widespread and systematic child sexual abuse by Roman Catholic priests in the Boston area, and the subsequent cover-up by the Church. As the journalists dig deeper, they face resistance from the Church, legal obstacles, and the emotional toll of exposing a scandal that has been hidden for decades. The film highlights the importance of investigative journalism in holding powerful institutions accountable and the profound impact of their findings on the victims and the public. 

• Call Her Daddy episodes – Simone Biles & Jane Fonda: both of these episodes touch on childhood sexual abuse.
• Conversations with Elizabeth: Host Elizabeth will introduce conversation starters and discuss issues of interest for survivors of childhood sexual abuse and trauma. This is an ongoing community group that records these sessions for others to listen to. The topics discussed pertain to healing, wellness, mental health, and more. Website: EMPOWERSURVIVORS
• CSA Survivors Speak: this podcast centers adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse. They share how our trauma impacts our lives.
• Dax Shepard who is an adult survivor of childhood sexual abuse discusses his truth on The Jason Ellis Show.
• The Jan Broberg Show: “At the Jan Broberg Show, we share our stories of childhood abuse, explain how survivors can become thrivivors, and listen to advice from experts across the industry.”
• My Healing Journey After Childhood Abuse by Tim Ferris : Tim Ferris and Debbie Millman discuss childhood abuse and their healing journeys.
• Sexual Assault Survivor Stories: Sexual Assault Survivor Stories -SASS- is a weekly podcast designed for the purpose of providing victims and survivors of sexual assault and rape information and a forum to better understand the complexities, adversities, victories, and all the dynamics of surviving and healing. There is also an educational component around trauma, memory, and developing healing strategies.

Below are organizations locally and regionally doing work that benefits adult survivors of CSA directly and indirectly. 

CSA Prevention & Intervention Organizations 

• Illuminate Colorado: a statewide nonprofit dedicated to strengthening families, organizations, and communities to prevent child maltreatment.  

Sexual Assault Agencies  

• Bright Future Foundation: Making Futures Bright: changing lives affected by domestic violence and sexual abuse in Eagle County.  
• The Blue Bench: a nonprofit organization committed to eliminating sexual assault and its impact through comprehensive issue advocacy, prevention, and care.
• CCASA (Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault): provides leadership, advocacy, and support to address and prevent sexual violence. 
• The Center for Trauma and Resilience: dedicated to offering culturally and linguistically responsive services and to fostering health promotion for people affected by crime and trauma.
• Deaf Dove:  dedicated to providing advocacy services for Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, or Hard of Hearing (DDBDDHH) victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and other forms of abuse.  
• The Initiative: specializing in providing services, support, and resources to people with disabilities who are experiencing domestic violence, abuse, neglect, sexual assault, or other violent crime. While we specialize in serving people with disabilities, we will work with all survivors, regardless of identity. 
• MESA (Moving to End Sexual Assault): not-for-profit program of Mental Health Partners (MHP) and has served as the sexual violence resource center for Boulder County since 1972. MESA assists people who have experienced sexual violence by providing information about legal support, medical care, counseling referrals, and other community resources.

• Porchlight Family Justice Center: provides comprehensive legal, emotional and critical supportive services for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, abuse of at-risk individuals, elder abuse, and human trafficking. 

• SAVA (The Sexual Assault Victim Advocate Center): provides crisis intervention, advocacy and counseling for all those affected by sexual violence in Northern Colorado while also providing prevention programs through community outreach and education.
• San Miguel Resource Center: is dedicated to helping clients break the cycle of violence and transition from “being a victim” to “becoming a survivor”. 
• SARA House: their mission is dedicated to the empowerment of sexual assault and domestic violence victims through direct victims’ services; community education that impacts deep-seated beliefs and behaviors; and the development of a coordinated community response to the crimes of sexual assault and domestic violence.

• Servicios de La Raza: their mission is to build and cultivate a thriving Colorado Latino community in which all members have the opportunities, and the support systems to achieve equity, self-sufficiency, and self-determination to lead a healthy quality of life.  
• SNAP: Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, or SNAP, is the largest, oldest and most active support group for women and men wounded by religious and institutional authorities (priests, ministers, bishops, deacons, nuns, coaches, teachers, and others).
• TESSA: their mission is to help individuals, and their children achieve safety and wellbeing while challenging communities to end sexual and family violence. 

• Voces Unidas for Justice: A community nonprofit embracing the richness of Latina/o identities while building empowerment and leadership around issues of justice, equality, and safety. 

Mental Health Organizations 

• Health District of Northern Larimer County: Mental Health Connections – CAYAC (Child, Adolescent, and Young Adult Connections) and Adult Connections behavioral health programs provide a range of behavioral health services to youth and adults. They provide residents of northern Larimer County with dental, behavioral, and preventive health services, in addition to connecting people to more affordable health insurance and prescription options. 
• The Jefferson Center: offer services for adults that include a variety of individual, group, and family resources designed to support clients’ strengths and independence. 

• Maria Droste Counseling Center: collaborates in healing Coloradans struggling with mental health—regardless of their ability to pay. 
• Queer Asterik: their mission is to help empower and nurture the diverse ways of being that queer people embody by providing accessible counseling, education and community programs that uplift queer, trans and gender expansive lives.
• WellPower: a place for recovery, resilience and well-being, known locally and nationally as a model for innovative and effective community behavioral health care. 

Below are organizations nationally doing work that benefits adult survivors of CSA directly and indirectly. 

• Grassroots RA/MC Collective: is a group of ritual abuse (RA)/ mind control (MC) survivors who have joined together to help themselves and other survivors by forming a supportive community. Together, they create and share support groups, healing workshops, writing groups, and art groups for parts of various ages.
• Helping Survivors: help heal, educate, and empower people who have been impacted by sexual abuse, assault, or harassment. 
• me too: As a global, and survivor-led, movement against sexual violence, we are dedicated to creating pathways for healing, justice, action and leadership. If your life was forever changed by sexual violence, you are not alone. Wherever you are in your healing journey, we are here to help. 

• Mirror Memoirs: is a national storytelling and organizing project centering the stories, healing, and leadership of LGBTQI+ survivors of color in the movement to end child sexual abuse. 
• National Human Trafficking Hotline  
• National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition: is the first and only national organization whose purpose is to advocate on behalf of Native peoples impacted by U.S. Indian boarding school policies. 
• National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC): national network of community-based rape crisis centers and local organizations who support the needs of sexual assault survivors.  
• RAINN(Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network):  is the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization. RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800.656.HOPE).
• Respect Together: unites all elements of our work under one name with a continued commitment to our long-standing mission of preventing and ending sexual abuse, assault, and harassment. 
• SNAP: Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, or SNAP, is the largest, oldest and most active support group for women and men wounded by religious and institutional authorities (priests, ministers, bishops, deacons, nuns, coaches, teachers, and others).