Awake Blog
Welcome to the Awake Blog! If you’re new to Awake, we recommend you check out these top blog posts from our archive.
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Investigation of Researcher David Pooler Finds Credible Allegations of Verbal Sexual Misconduct and Professional Boundary Violations
Pooler spoke at Awake’s 2021 Courageous Conversation about abuse of adults, and we had quoted him in multiple posts on the Awake blog. While the investigation was ongoing, we removed this content from our website; based on the findings of the GRACE investigation, we have now permanently removed the content.
Vatican Reporter Wrestles With Faith, Finds Hope
“We saw it as our job, our vocation even, to help reveal that truth, whatever ways that we could.”
Awake Community Gathers to Reflect on the Virtue of Hope
Last week, the Awake community gathered for a prayer service centered on one of our organization's core values: hope.
Awake Acknowledges Charter Revisions and Calls for Further Action by Church Leaders
“We urge all dioceses to publicly acknowledge the reality of abuse of adults, establish clear, transparent, compassionate policies for responding to allegations, and offer care to those who have been harmed in this way.”
The Power of Pets in Trauma Healing
When Jessica met Josie, she quickly knew they would make a good team. Josie is a goldendoodle that Jessica adopted last summer. “She had just had a bath and was hiding under a chair in their living room…
Awake Leaders and Volunteers Gather for Reflection, Community Building, and Discernment
On Saturday, May 30, Awake’s Staff, Board of Directors, Leadership Team, Survivor Advisory Panel, and other key volunteers gathered virtually and in-person in Milwaukee to reflect on the successes and challenges of the past year, as well as dream and plan for the future of our organization.
Jill Monaco
“Experience has taught me that you need to find a tribe of people or even just one person who can hold space for your story and pain.”
Courageous Conversation: Restorative Justice — Healing Possibilities for Abuse Survivors and the Catholic Church
Last week, Awake concluded its sixth season of Courageous Conversations with a discussion of the possibilities of restorative justice as a healing possibility for abuse survivors and faith communities.
Care for the Caregivers: Awake Implements Support Offerings for Staff and Volunteers
“This initiative is one way we can live out Awake’s core value of compassion—while also helping ensure that those who carry this mission can do so in a healthy way for years to come.”
Why Do Victim-Survivors Sometimes Forget Their Abuse?
When survivors of sexual abuse share their stories, they sometimes describe forgetting or repressing memories of their abuse for years, even decades, before the memories resurface, usually in the form of painful flashbacks.
Rooted and Rising: Dr. Eileen Dombo Discusses Setting and Maintaining Healthy Boundaries
On Wednesday, April 22nd, Awake concluded the first season of Rooted and Rising, a series featuring presentations from mental health professionals to offer practical tools for healing. This event brought together attendees from across the United States and beyond, reflecting Awake’s growing community of survivors, loved ones, and supporters committed to healing and transformation.
Chuck Lovett
"I refuse to let the institution that didn’t stop these horrors dictate how I heal from them.”
What is Clericalism? And How Does It Contribute to Abuse in the Church?
A new book explores clericalism as a system of rules and “unchecked authority” in the Catholic Church that makes sexual abuse more likely to take place and to be concealed. We speak with author C. Colt Anderson about his deep dive into the problem of clericalism.
Awake Welcomes Four New Directors and Offers Gratitude to Three Departing Directors
“This week the Awake community expresses deep gratitude to three people concluding their terms on our Board of Directors and welcomes four new directors stepping forward to serve.”
Scarlett Faltys-Burr
“My family hopes our story of being exploited due to our vulnerability as immigrants is taken to heart and that our testimony helps bring about change.”
Awake Community Gathers to Pray the Way of the Cross with Survivors
On March 18, Awake held its annual Lenten prayer service, Way of the Cross with Survivors. This virtual event includes reflections written by members of the Awake community who have experienced sexual abuse in the Catholic Church.
Join Us In Welcoming Rebecca Dodge to the Awake Staff!
“I recognize the painful reality of abuse within the Church and the urgent need for accountability, transformation, and healing. I am deeply committed to doing my part in this sacred work.”
How Do Other Faith Traditions Address Abuse?
How do Jewish, Protestant, and Muslim communities address abuse by religious leaders? What can Catholics learn from these other faith traditions?
Timothy Quigley
“I had a Judas, who betrayed me with a kiss. It felt like Jesus left me. I only found Jesus again by identifying with him, with his passion, with his cross.”
Courageous Conversation: Understanding the Trauma of Institutional Betrayal
Awake welcomed three panelists to discuss a devastating harm known as institutional betrayal, experienced by an alarming number of victim-survivors who report their abuse to church leaders.