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Honoring Survivors

 

Look what this world has come to: approximately 150 survivors of sexual abuse by Larry Nassar will receive the Arthur Ashe Courage Award during ABC's broadcast of the 26th annual ESPY sports awards this Wednesday (7/18/18) live from 8-11 p.m. ET. A video piece about their ordeal will be shown before all of them take the stage. Olympic gymnast Aly Raisman will be one of several survivors who speak when accepting the award. 
 
And, here’s another wonderful fact: the ESPY production personnel reached out early on to Pathways to Safety International asking them for guidance on language for the press release, the script, and overall approach on how to best serve the survivors receiving the award. 
 
Then PSI secured Peace Over Violence to provide crisis counselors on site for Tuesday’s rehearsal (also accessible overnight) and for the day of the show. In addition, they secured therapy dogs for the group for both Tuesday and Wednesday. 
 
Talk about doing it right! This isn’t just a breaking of the silence – it’s a shattering. Survivors are being honored and supported on a global stage for speaking up instead of being shamed into their respective closets. Can you see me doing my happy dance?
 
I’ve been bowled over by these brave young women, wrote about them and the Judge in their case in The Gymnasts and the Judge in January. This is one inspiring episode in our quest to change the reality of childhood sexual abuse and definitely a time to celebrate.

Regards to all on this day of good news,

Donna

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