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Dragonfly Advocacy - support for child abuse survivors #sameherenoshamehere

Understanding, empathy & support from the author of Circling The Wagons

Dragonfly = transformation, renewal, resilience.

About Dragonfly Advocacy

What is Dragonfly Advocacy and how can I help?

I established the Dragonfly Advocacy website, after publishing my book, as a place for readers to reach out to me. But it has become so much more than that.

The more involved I got in the area of assisting adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse and also child protection, the more I came to realise that my website could include so many

I established the Dragonfly Advocacy website, after publishing my book, as a place for readers to reach out to me. But it has become so much more than that.

The more involved I got in the area of assisting adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse and also child protection, the more I came to realise that my website could include so many different features.

Such as –

· My blogs about my self-discoveries around IFCSA

· Videos from my speaking events or poetry readings

· How to keep your kids safe online from predators re – sextortion etc.

· Organisations against Sexual Violence and counselling services – Laurel Place & Isabella Semeraro

· Men’s services such as SAMSN – Survivors & Mates Support Network

· Educational Podcasts – CAPE and Gloria Masters

· Organisations in Aus for help with – child abuse prevention/support, mental health support and suicide prevention, domestic violence support, cyber safety and adult survivor resources etc.

I have now been a guest speaker at

· Moreton Bay Says No To Violence – May 2024

· Bright Futures Forum Canberra - hosted by The Daniel Morcombe Foundation – October 2024

Laurel Place Inc. - Sexual Violence Awareness Month event - October 2024.

Please note - My role is of an advocate only. “Advocate” - a person who publicly supports or recommends a particular cause. My opinions and views should not take the place of your professionals.

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my book

What is Dragonfly Advocacy and how can I help?

Circling The Wagons Paperback is available for sale on my website (section below) for $35 delivered throughout Australia. Also Bookstores in Qld - listed further down.

EBOOK & PAPERBACK - AVAILABLE NOW GLOBALLY on online retailers such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble etc.

"Circling The Wagons" is a firsthand account of a survivor's struggles to

Circling The Wagons Paperback is available for sale on my website (section below) for $35 delivered throughout Australia. Also Bookstores in Qld - listed further down.

EBOOK & PAPERBACK - AVAILABLE NOW GLOBALLY on online retailers such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble etc.

"Circling The Wagons" is a firsthand account of a survivor's struggles to reclaim her life after dealing with intra-familial childhood sexual abuse trauma hidden within a family environment. Written for other survivors and friends/family members of survivors to get a true, in-depth and honest look into the devastating effects hidden abuse can have, when it is not dealt with for decades.

Testimonials

What a powerful message you are giving to survivors of all types of abuse. This is not your secret, it's your story! Shannon R.

What an honour to be trusted with your story Deb. Your journey has not defined you as a person, but one that will inspire others to stand up and be heard and hopefully let the healing begin. Donna P

Deborah has reclaimed her strength, courage, confidence and power in writing this book. I hope that by reading it many others in a similar situation, will be able to release guilt and self-blame and finally heal. Cynthia

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Meet the author

What is Dragonfly Advocacy and how can I help?

Meet the author

Hi, I'm Deb!

I not only endured my own abuse from a family member growing up and was silenced, but then heard stories from so many others over the years. This led me to try to help other survivors by telling my own story on Bravehearts website in their survivor stories section.

Standing up in 2023 to advocate for others and to say th

Hi, I'm Deb!

Standing up in 2023 to advocate for others and to say this happened to me, opened up a dialogue with many survivors who had experienced similar abuse.

I have continued my journey of advocacy by lending my lived experiences to survivor led workshops and also speaking events.

And of course I'm here to support, educate and encourage adult childhood abuse survivors to find the peace they all deserve.

My ongoing mission is to help other adult survivors find their way through their pain and trauma to the other side, where healing and acceptance lives.

#sameherenoshamehere

adult child abuse survivors

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Where to buy "Circling The Wagons" in Queensland

Locations to pick up a copy of my paperback -

Little Bird Bookshop - Paddington

Samford Variety Store - Samford

The Little Book Nook - Palmwoods

Baffies Oan Bookstore - Samford

Rendezvous cafe & bookshop - Dayboro

Circling the wagons was an amazing read and experience, as a childhood sexual abuse survivor myself, I was able to connect and relate to this book very easily. I had many moments reading this book that I could relate to, this has helped me to identify what steps I need to take next and support me to have confidence as an adult survivor.

Reading this book has great insights of what a survivor of childhood abuse may encounter through life and how to navigate through this. For such a difficult topic to write about, Deb has written with such passion and a clear purpose to help others through their healing. Thank you, Deb, for having the courage to write a challenging and sharing personal aspects of your life, for the benefit of others.

Absolutely highly recommend for anyone that wants a perspective from someone that has lived experience firsthand and how to enhance your life with simple and easy strategies to find your pathway to healing.

John Cardamone

Speaker, Educator and survivor

HANDING THE SHAME BACK - PODCAST

My interview with Gloria Masters

During my advocacy work, I connected with Gloria Masters of "Handing the shame back" podcast.

I had the privelige to be on her show recently - To check out this episode click here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjc_KO48Ezk

Gloria is now an Author, Advocate and Survivor: and the woman behind the Global hand signal for under 16’s, released in June 2023, to help resource and protect children from sexual abuse.

https://www.handingtheshameback.org/

Deborah Aldrick - Adult survivor advocate, author & speaker

Deb's advocacy journey

Deb is a local Brisbane woman who has become an author, adult survivor advocate and lived experience speaker. Standing up in 2023 to say this happened to her, has opened up so many opportunities for Deb to help other adult survivors to understand they are not alone. She wrote her book "Circling The Wagons" to help survivors understand better what they went through. Her book was also written for family members or friends of survivors, to understand all the impacts a survivor goes through and the negative ways survivors continue to hurt themselves while trying to deal with their trauma.

Helping future children from her lived experience

Within Deb's advocacy work she has travelled to Canberra to teach frontline workers what red flags to look out for to help save future children from abuse.

Deb co-presented at The Daniel Morcombe Foundation "Bright Futures" forum in October 2024.

Deb also spent this last year working on the AVA project - Amplifying the voices of victim-survivors: Advancing the harmful sexual behaviour evidence base roundtable - in Melbourne - November 2024, run by the University of Melbourne. She was one of five survivors who presented their key messages to policy makers for future reforms in child abuse prevention and education techniques.

Moving forward

Deb was guest speaker at Laurel Place's "Sexual Violence Awareness Month" event at Caboolture in October 2024. She explained how due to her abuse as a small girl, she continued to find herself in unsafe relationships in her teens and adulthood. One of Deb's focuses is getting abused teenagers help before they head down the road of negative, toxic and destructive pathways. She wants to try to help and educate young people early on, so they can heal and move forward in a healthy way.

Deb has also spoken on "The Cape - child abuse prevention education" podcast by an ex WA detective and "Handing the shame back" NZ podcasts to explain intra-familial abuse repercussions and is currently working on several editions of a USA podcast.

"Raising my voice" to stop violence

Guest speaker at "Moreton Bay Says No To Violence" Walk & Speaking event 31-5-24, opening up the dialogue of intra-familial childhood sexual abuse being a form of domestic violence. Abuse help

Speaking event

Click here to watch video

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1S8lkamTsc85Vw4VwSj-HIxvLu3d3G3EH/view?ts=665d47c1

Childhood sexual abuse = Domestic Violence

Deb explains why "Intra-familial childhood sexual assault" should be included when speaking about "domestic violence." abuse help, adult survivors, adult child abuse survivors

Child Abuse Prevention Podcast

The CAPE podcast -S2 - Ep 16 on Spotify - My story

During my advocacy work, I came across the CAPE podcast by ex WA Detective Kristi McVee. CAPE stands for Child Abuse Prevention and Education. Kristi speaks with a vast aray of experts and lived experience guests on her podcast. Kristi and her guests give specific information, advice and tools to assist and guide parents in keeping their kids safe from abuse. I have personally learnt a lot just from listening to a few of her episodes and due to her laid-back approach to interviewing, find her show very relatable and easy to listen to.

I had the privelige to be on her show recently - To check out this episode click here - https://www.cape-au.com/podcasts/the-cape-podcast/episodes/2148871978

Extra resources

Gloria Masters - Handing The Shame Back

SAMSN - Survivors & Mates Support Network

Gloria Masters - Handing The Shame Back

I recently had the privilege to meet this amazing woman Gloria Masters from New Zealand. Gloria is one of the most extraordinary, warm and caring survivors, I've had the pleasure to speak with and she was kind enough to have me on her podcast - Handing The Shame Back.

Here is some of Gloria's story -

I survived 16 years of child sexual

Here is some of Gloria's story -

I survived 16 years of child sexual abuse including trafficking right here in NZ.
My father made a lot of money out of me and I was leased to gangs and other groups. I featured in over 100 child sexual abuse materials, mainly videos, was leased to gangs and freemasons, had forced abortions performed on me, and endured satanic ritual abuse. My grandmother got paid a commission to train me, so I never stood a chance really.

Gloria is now an Author, Advocate and Survivor: and the woman behind the Global hand signal for under 16’s, released in June 2023, to help resource and protect children from sexual abuse. (Image above)

https://www.handingtheshameback.org/

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Surf Online Safe - Internet Awareness

SAMSN - Survivors & Mates Support Network

Gloria Masters - Handing The Shame Back

HOW TO KEEP YOUR CHILDREN SAFE ONLINE

“Paul was a WA Police Officer for 20 years with his last 6 years spent within Technology Crime.

Sextortion!

Paul says - Crimes which were once only ever experienced by adults are now affecting juveniles in huge numbers. Over the past 5 years in particular, I have noticed a marked increase in the number

HOW TO KEEP YOUR CHILDREN SAFE ONLINE

“Paul was a WA Police Officer for 20 years with his last 6 years spent within Technology Crime.

Sextortion!

Paul says - Crimes which were once only ever experienced by adults are now affecting juveniles in huge numbers. Over the past 5 years in particular, I have noticed a marked increase in the number of teenagers approaching me for assistance with some of the most serious of matters. Kids are making errors of judgement online and as their navigation of online environments grow with age, they are being exposed to more and more significant risk. One of the most concerning crimes being experienced by juveniles in more recent times is Sextortion.

Click here - https://www.surfonlinesafe.com.au/sextortion.html to find out more about what to and what not to do, if your child is targeted, and how to talk to your child about this heinous form of child abuse before it occurs.

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SAMSN - Survivors & Mates Support Network

SUPPORT FOR MALE SURVIVORS OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE

Established in 2011, SAMSN is Australia’s leading organisation for male survivors of child sexual abuse and their supporters.
Read more about SAMSN’s history here.

SAMSN is a not-for-profit charity that evolved through collaboration between survivors and professionals to provide services to m

SUPPORT FOR MALE SURVIVORS OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE

Established in 2011, SAMSN is Australia’s leading organisation for male survivors of child sexual abuse and their supporters.
Read more about SAMSN’s history here.

SAMSN is a not-for-profit charity that evolved through collaboration between survivors and professionals to provide services to male survivors, their families, and supporters.

All male survivors of child sexual assault should know that the abuse was not their fault and that healing and recovery is possible.

Regardless of his ethnicity, sexual orientation, age or religion, any man, including all expressions of male gender identity, can contact SAMSN for support.

Our services for survivors and supporters are FREE.

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Laurel Place Inc.

Services against sexual violence

Laurel Place Inc. is a community-based, government funded, free, specialised and confidential Counselling service. They provide counselling, support, information and education relating to sexual violence across the Sunshine Coast, Moreton Bay, Gympie and South Burnett areas.

Their staff are specialist sexual assault practitioners who hold a range of qualifications in Psychology, Social Work, Counselling and Human Services.

Adults and Young People's Program

Our Adults and Young People’s Program provides specialist sexual assault counselling and support to young people (aged 12 and over) and adults who have experienced sexual assault or abuse at any time in their lives. Counselling can also be provided to non-offending supporters, including parents, care-givers and partners of people who have experienced sexual assault or abuse.

https://www.laurelplace.com.au/services/adults-and-young-peoples-program

Other services they offer - First Response Program, Children & Families Program, First Nations Client Support Worker, RESET (Youth Sexual Violence) and Women's Space.

They have offices at – Maroochydore, Morayfield, Gympie and Murgon.

Click here to get in touch - https://www.laurelplace.com.au/contact-us

Isabella Semeraro - Counsellor

About Isabella -

Isabella values kindness, understanding, honesty, and curiosity in her counselling practice. She focuses strongly on the therapeutic relationship between herself and her clients and believes that her clients are the experts in their own lives. Isabella works from a values-based and client-centered approach, utilising a mixture of narrative, creative, and somatic therapies. Isabella enjoys supporting and empowering clients from all walks of life to overcome challenges they may be facing.

To contact Isabella click here - https://www.isabellasemerarocounselling.com/contact

Services Isabella offers -

Individual Counselling
Child & Adolescent Counselling
Couples Counselling
Family Counselling

Isabella is also currently working as a sexual assault counsellor at a not for profit organisation.

She feels privileged to walk alongside and hear the stories of survivors.

Rideshare tips by Cordisco & Saile - USA

What to look out for

Request your ride before going outside. Lingering outside alone while looking down at your phone is dangerous.
Keep your phone charged when you go out. This will not only prevent you from being stuck without a ride but also allow you to text or call someone in an emergency.
Before boarding, make sure the car, license plate, and driver are correct. Don’t get into a car until you’ve confirmed that the car and driver match those assigned to you.
Have the driver confirm your name. Don’t walk up and ask if a ride is for you. Wait and see if the driver knows your name before entering the car.
Check if the child safety lock has been activated before entering the car. One key danger of rideshare vehicles is that a driver can covertly activate the child lock, trapping you in the backseat. Make sure you can operate the inside handle normally before closing the door.

Be aware

Share your rideshare route with a friend or family member. Many rideshare apps have features that let you text your route to another person so they can follow it in real-time. If your rideshare driver takes an unexpected detour, your trusted contact can find your location.
Sit in the back seat of the car. Sitting in the front passenger seat puts you very close to the driver, meaning it’s much easier for them to grab or otherwise physically hurt you.
Always wear your seatbelt. Wearing a seatbelt can prevent injury from a collision.
Never give out your personal information. Your driver never needs to know your full name, phone number, home address, or other identifying information.
Never pay cash. You might occasionally see a driver offering rides for cash without a rideshare app. The company likely hasn’t vetted an unregulated cash-only driver, so don’t get into their car.
Only communicate with your driver in the rideshare app. Don’t text or call a rideshare driver using your own number.

Get home safe

Keep an eye on your surroundings. Follow the route on your phone to better understand how to get home if you arrive in the wrong place.
Travel in groups when you can. Sharing a car with people you trust means there are witnesses if anyone gets hurt.
Trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right, don’t get into the vehicle. It’s always okay to cancel the ride if something seems off.
Call for help if you’re in trouble. If you’re in danger, call a friend, the police, or another trusted party. If needed, shout out the window.
Exit the vehicle in a safe area. Don’t exit the car somewhere unfamiliar, unexpected, or otherwise dangerous. Try to exit in a brightly lit, familiar space if possible.

Thank you to Cordisco & Saile LLC in the USA, for reaching out to me to add these very important ride share safety tips to my advocacy website.

Link below for anyone living in the USA -

https://www.cordiscosaile.com/rideshare-safety-tips/

Disclaimer - Dragonfly advocacy has no professional affiliation with

Cordisco & Saile LLC.