You are listening to episode 16, part 1 of the Supporting Survivors Who Birth Series- A dive into the intersections of sexual violence and birthwork and what we can do to best be of support for survivors.In this episode, we speak with social justice advocate, somatic coach, & rape crisis counselor, Tabitha Thomas, for an indepth exploration into the prevelence of sexual violence, common barriers survivors may face in in reporting & seeking support, what healing from sexual violence can look like, and what we can do to best be of support when someone discloses their survivorship.

This series is near and dear to my heart as I’ve been a rape crisis peer counselor with San Francisco Women Against Rape for over a decade and as a birthworker, specialize in supporting survivors through the birth experience. I’m launching this series in celebration of my upcoming training through Cornerstone Doula Trainings in December 2019 called Supporting Survivors Who Birth. It’s a 4hr online intensive with an anti-oppression based exploration into the intersections of sexual violence and birthwork.

In this training you will...*Deepen your understanding of the workings & impact of sexual violence*Unveil the ways in which trauma can manifest for survivors through birth, pregnancy, & postpartum*Embody these practices through role playing to FEEL what it can be like to provide support in the moment*Identify and strengthen your abilities to best be of support

The first two parts of this series are a sneak peak into the training- go to birthbruja.com to see a detailed description of what the course will cover.One final note before we begin- as with any topics related to trauma, please take gentle care of yourself. Press pause to take breaks, call to debrief with a friend, or spend some time moving your body to help process and integrate what you’ve heard.

The music you heard on today’s show is entitled “Healer,’ by Sampa the Great. Deep gratitude to Tabitha Thomas for joining me in today’s episode and to We Rise Production for assistance in production.

Go to birthbruja.com to learn about upcoming trainings, mentorship circles, and more. Follow me on social media @birthbruja to continue the conversation.