In this bonus episode, Melissa and Heather talk to the director, Mara, of the Partner Abuse Intervention Program (PAIP) at Safe Journeys. The PAIP program serves to help people who have abused an intimate partner develop skills to become healthier partners and stop the cycle of violence, which is helpful information for anyone hoping to model healthy relationships for the children and adolescents in their lives. Mara shares her thoughts on working with people who cause harm and the importance of this type of programming.

You can find SafeR Journeys Podcast at https://www.instagram.com/podcast_saferjourneys/ and https://www.facebook.com/safer.journeys.podcast. Melissa and Heather are preventionists with Safe Journeys, a domestic and sexual violence agency serving LaSalle and Livingston counties in Illinois. You can learn more at http://safejourneysillinois.org/

Media to support this episode:

Becoming Allies - Chris Huffine

Making Amends Podcast

In this final episode of the season, Melissa and Heather wanted to focus on caring for our minds and bodies, after a full season talking about oppression. For this bonus episode, your hosts invited Reiki master, Ashley, to share how she helps parents and children care for themselves. 

You can find SafeR Journeys Podcast at https://www.instagram.com/podcast_saferjourneys/ and https://www.facebook.com/safer.journeys.podcast. Melissa and Heather are preventionists with Safe Journeys, a domestic and sexual violence agency serving LaSalle and Livingston counties in Illinois. You can learn more at http://safejourneysillinois.org/ 

Resources:

Sanctuary Reiki Center, Utica, IL

Instructions for water practice:

Pour water into a glass. Speak what you wish to let go of into the glass/water. Pour the water into the ground to release and let go. Similarly, this practice can be done by writing what you wish to release and then burning the paper. The important part of this practice is taking action to release what you are ready to let go.

This episode is the second half of “Youth with Disabilities." After a review of the current data on abuse in young people with disabilities, Melissa and Heather outline why prevention is so important with these kids. They also will discuss comprehensive sex ed for young people with disabilities and a little about a sex ed curriculum called Elevatus. 

You can find SafeR Journeys Podcast at https://www.instagram.com/podcast_saferjourneys/ and https://www.facebook.com/safer.journeys.podcast. Melissa and Heather are preventionists with Safe Journeys, a domestic and sexual violence agency serving LaSalle and Livingston counties in Illinois. You can learn more at http://safejourneysillinois.org/ 

To post in show notes: 

Media we love → Elevatus article: 3 Steps to Support Children with IDD to Have Healthy Relationships 

Support resources for deaf/hard of hearing → 

The Deaf Hotline - ASL Videos about abuse and healthy relationships

ADWAS - Abused Deaf Women Advocacy Services

Resources:

Sex Talk for Self-Advocates Series (for Self Advocates) that includes videos of self advocates and service providers talking about relationships, sex and intimacy, safe sex practices related to STIs, and other topics

“In my voice”video

Key Components of Public Act 101-0506

FAQ on Public Act 101-0506

IGAC Sexual Rights Statement

RAINN article: Sexual Abuse of People with Disabilities

The Hotline: Abuse in Disability Communities

Disabled & Proud Podcast - UK

National Coalition for Independent Living

Siecus - Sex Ed, Youth with disabilities

IDD & Sexuality Fact sheets

In this bonus episode, your hosts discuss their background and what brought them to their current position. Melissa and Heather will also share what they love about this work and what can be difficult about working to end oppression, domestic violence, and sexual violence. They will also share what they would love to see for the future of this work. This is a great “get to know your hosts” episode!

You can find SafeR Journeys Podcast at https://www.instagram.com/podcast_saferjourneys/ and https://www.facebook.com/safer.journeys.podcast. Melissa and Heather are preventionists with Safe Journeys, a domestic and sexual violence agency serving LaSalle and Livingston counties in Illinois. You can learn more at http://safejourneysillinois.org/

In this episode, Melissa and Heather will introduce listeners to the intersection of abuse and disabilities in young people. Your hosts will give a quick run down on special education in the U.S. and illustrate the marginalization of people with disabilities. You can expect to learn how oppression impacts experiences of abuse, reporting abuse, and service provision for those with disabilities. 

You can find SafeR Journeys Podcast at https://www.instagram.com/podcast_saferjourneys/ and https://www.facebook.com/safer.journeys.podcast. Melissa and Heather are preventionists with Safe Journeys, a domestic and sexual violence agency serving LaSalle and Livingston counties in Illinois. You can learn more at http://safejourneysillinois.org/ 

Media we love link:

Included - Jayneen Sanders - E2E publishing

Resources:

The Deaf Hotline

ADWAS - Abused Deaf Women Advocacy Services

Resources:

Pew Research 2020-2021

UNICEF - promoting rights

Special Olympics PPT

Group Homes 

2017 Inclusion in LMIC's 

Journal of Pediatrics

RAINN article: Sexual Abuse of People with Disabilities

The Hotline: Abuse in Disability Communities

This episode wraps up the LGBTQ+ youth miniseries. Melissa & Heather will talk about  the US Department of Education’s Toolkit for Creating Inclusive and Nondiscriminatory School Environments for LGBTQIA+ students along with some other helpful resources.

You can find SafeR Journeys Podcast at https://www.instagram.com/podcast_saferjourneys/ and https://www.facebook.com/safer.journeys.podcast. Melissa and Heather are preventionists with Safe Journeys, a domestic and sexual violence agency serving LaSalle and Livingston counties in Illinois. You can learn more at http://safejourneysillinois.org/ 

Media to support this episode:

1. The CDC has a free professional development learning module for creating safe schools for LGBTQ+ Youth. 

2. Little Justice Leaders: Supporting Trans and Nonbinary Students

3. U.S. Department of Education Toolkit: Creating Inclusive and Nondiscriminatory School Environment for LGBTQI+ Students, includes resources on how schools can find funding to support the freedom to learn for all students.

4. Inclusive Curriculum Advisory Council of Illinois resource
   

This episode continues the LGBTQ+ youth miniseries, focusing on being a good ally. Heather & Melissa will talk about how to act when you mess up, using inclusive language, and pronouns. Your hosts will also share some do’s and don’ts. 

You can find SafeR Journeys Podcast at https://www.instagram.com/podcast_saferjourneys/ and https://www.facebook.com/safer.journeys.podcast. Melissa and Heather are preventionists with Safe Journeys, a domestic and sexual violence agency serving LaSalle and Livingston counties in Illinois. You can learn more at http://safejourneysillinois.org/ 

Media we love and resources:

Welcoming Schools Toolkit - HRC

Adv. for youth - Creating Safer Spaces 

Queer America Podcast

In this episode Melissa and Heather review basic terminology used by the LGBTQ+ community. Your hosts will help you better understand the differences between gender identity and sexual orientation, as well provide some helpful info to support your allyship journey. 

You can find SafeR Journeys Podcast at https://www.instagram.com/podcast_saferjourneys/ and https://www.facebook.com/safer.journeys.podcast. Melissa and Heather are preventionists with Safe Journeys, a domestic and sexual violence agency serving LaSalle and Livingston counties in Illinois. You can learn more at http://safejourneysillinois.org/ 

Media to support this episode:

The Gender Unicorn | Pop'n'Olly | Olly Pike

Advocates for Youth - Creating Safer Spaces