“[S]ometimes my relationship with the Church feels like a strained marriage… I absolutely do not want a divorce; I want healing in the most precious relationship I…… Read more “Survivor Story: Emily Ransom”
Tag: survivor stories
Survivor Story: Valentino “Val” Borrelli
“My wish is to help the laity understand that abuse victims are not some delicate flowers that can’t handle life because of the abuse. We are valuable…… Read more “Survivor Story: Valentino “Val” Borrelli”
Survivor Story: Mike Hoffman
“To be able to share my story, which I kept secret for over 30 years, and still feel safe and loved was such a profound experience.” Mike…… Read more “Survivor Story: Mike Hoffman”
Awake’s Top Blog Posts of 2022
As we turn the page on a new year, we at Awake value the chance to look back over the last 12 months to see which posts…… Read more “Awake’s Top Blog Posts of 2022”
Survivor Story: Zac Zepeda
“Years of therapy and support groups have shown me that to heal I must talk about the abuse.” Zac Zepeda, age 74, is a cradle Catholic who…… Read more “Survivor Story: Zac Zepeda”
Survivor Story: Deborah Rodriguez
“The greatest challenge I have had to endure as a survivor is shame. Because others forced me to keep silent about the abuse, I thought I was…… Read more “Survivor Story: Deborah Rodriguez”
Survivor Story: Carol Longsdorf
“One of the most helpful things is working with a trauma therapist who has helped me understand why childhood trauma is so very difficult to uncover.” A…… Read more “Survivor Story: Carol Longsdorf”
Survivor Story: Bill Kessenich
“Pope Francis says that the Church needs to be a ‘field hospital’ for the marginalized. I believe that we survivors of trauma have roles to play as…… Read more “Survivor Story: Bill Kessenich”
Survivor Story: Michael Koplinka-Loehr
“Talking about these things in a place where you’re profoundly understood is a gift in the healing process.” Editor’s note: This week we’re honored to share the…… Read more “Survivor Story: Michael Koplinka-Loehr”
Awake is Launching a New Blog Series on Survivor Stories. Here’s Why.
When Awake Milwaukee was established in 2019, we quickly realized how much we had to learn about the experiences of victim-survivors of abuse in the Catholic Church.…… Read more “Awake is Launching a New Blog Series on Survivor Stories. Here’s Why.”