From Survivor to Advocate: A Lifelong Journey Toward Trauma-Informed Justice

From when I was in diapers, I was surrounded by underserved communities  and taught to serve them.  I joined my family as they built homes, taught classes, brought humanitarian relief and more throughout Latin America, Central Europe, Asia, and beyond. We spent our summers and holidays serving meals to unhoused families, visiting with elders in care facilities.  I came away being more aware and grateful for the luck and privilege I had simply for being born a white, middle class, American daughter of college graduates. I saw I hadn't earned any of what I had, and the injustice and inequity that those who I met could never work enough to earn the same.  Thus, it was natural for me to chose ask my local women and childrens shelter for my first college internship. 

I couldn't know that I would see something there, then experience myself, something that has affected billions and no one is immune to. It cuts across all class, sexual orientations, genders, financial and socioeconomic groups. Gender-Based Violence (GBV) . 

I saw GBV pervasiveness and its devastating impact on individuals and communities. I saw how GBV drove women and children into homelessness, leaving them without the resources to rebuild their lives. This realization set me on a path of advocacy, from direct victim support to policy reform and international human rights work.

This work became deeply personal when I experienced GBV in my own life. At 21, I was married and living in an abusive relationship. My spouse used control tactics, including taking away my birth control and sexually assaulting me. That experience—of fear, survival, and rebuilding—has fueled my passion to ensure survivors have access to the support and justice they deserve.

Advocating for Survivors: From Local to Global

I began my professional journey at the Marion County District Attorney’s office, where I completed more than 80 hours of trauma-informed care training and worked directly with survivors of violent crime. I assisted with protection orders, supported survivors during medical exams, and helped them prepare for testimony. These early experiences taught me how vital trauma-informed practices are to survivor healing and engagement with the justice system.

As my understanding of systemic barriers grew, I expanded my efforts to include advocacy and systemic reform. At the Oregon State Bureau of Labor and Industries, I advocated for Spanish-speaking victims of labor trafficking and workplace violations. I also clerked for an employee and civil rights law firm, providing legal support to marginalized workers. During my time with parole and probation departments, I saw how systemic failures often turned survivors into defendants, highlighting the need for restorative justice practices that address the broader intersection of crime, poverty, and trauma.

My commitment to supporting survivors extended beyond professional roles. I volunteered with organizations such as the Sexual Assault Response Center, providing trauma-informed crisis support and hospital accompaniment during sexual assault medical exams. I served with the Tamar Center in Thailand, doing outreach with sex-trafficking survivors, and worked internationally with youth to prevent GBV.

Policy, Advocacy, and Community Engagement

Recognizing the need for systemic change, I added policy advocacy to my work. I coordinated a task force to protect sex-trafficking survivors and purge their trafficking-related criminal charges. I served as secretary for Oregon’s first statewide political action committee dedicated to addressing GBV, where I campaigned for legislative reforms and candidates who supported survivor-focused initiatives.

I also leveraged my event coordination skills to amplify survivor voices and promote public awareness. I organized conferences for organizations like the National Crime Victim Law Institute and coordinated events ranging from small task force meetings to gatherings of thousands. These efforts not only brought attention to critical issues but also fostered collaboration among key stakeholders.

Toward Trauma-Informed Justice

Over the years, I’ve witnessed how systems designed to protect survivors often fail them due to a lack of trauma-informed practices. These gaps inspired me to pursue a Master’s degree in Public Administration, focusing on trauma-informed criminal justice reform. My thesis explored how justice systems can better serve survivors while promoting accountability and healing.

Today, I continue this work as a strategic consultant, helping organizations integrate trauma-informed care into their humanitarian and health initiatives. Living near the International Criminal Court, I am reminded daily of my lifelong mission to advance justice and support survivors worldwide.

A Personal Commitment to Justice

My work is rooted in both professional experience and personal understanding of the challenges survivors face. From holding hands during sexual assault exams to advocating for systemic accountability, I’ve dedicated my career to ensuring survivors are supported, heard, and empowered.

Justice isn’t just about punishment—it’s about restoring dignity, agency, and hope. As we continue to build systems that are trauma-informed and survivor-centered, I remain committed to creating a world where survivors not only survive but thrive.