Sexual violence is any physical sexual act committed without the consent of the other person or when the other person is unable to give consent. It includes sexual assault, rape, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking. Sexual trauma is any lingering physical, emotional, or psychological symptoms resulting from a physical assault or battery of a sexual nature. The state of Alaska has the highest rate of sexual assault in the nation.

On this episode, Blaze Bell, a tenacious sexual assault survivor, shares her story of triumph over tragedy, Keeley Olson, executive director of Standing Together Against Rape, details how her organization meets the unique needs of sexual violence victims and survivors in Alaska, and Eden Lunsford, a trauma therapist, talks about how she helps sexual violence survivors personal recover power and reestablish agency over their lives. 

Domestic violence is the willful intimidation, physical assault, battery, sexual assault, and/or other abusive behavior as part of a systematic pattern of power and control perpetrated by one intimate partner against another. It includes physical violence, sexual violence, psychological violence, and emotional abuse.

On this episode of Amplify America, National Coalition Against Domestic Violence President Ruth M. Glenn explains the scope of domestic violence in America and the current policies under consideration that could aid in the protection of victims and its prevention, Denver businesswoman, philanthropist, and survivor Rose Andom talks about how she survived witnessing domestic abuse a child and as an adult and how she used her success to help others facing the same, and Nicole P. Castillo, program director of the Rose Andom Center tells us how their domestic violence counseling, support, and protection services help the people of Denver navigate pathways to safety and justice.

Emotional and psychological abuse is a way to control another person by using emotions to criticize, embarrass, shame, blame or otherwise manipulate them. It causes trauma to the victim by verbal abuse, acts, threats of acts, or coercive tactics.

Worship and production director Jason Covington shares how he survived this experience in his first marriage and offers advice to others currently experiencing this kind of abuse.

Owner of the Institute for Healing, LLC, in Owings Mills, Maryland, Dr. La Keita Carter, shares how she helps people navigate the process of healing from this type of abuse and how faith communities can do a better job at helping their congregations with mental health challenges.

Both offer insights into how we should see abusers, be more helpful bystanders, and advocate for better resources for those recovering from emotional and psychological abuse.