March 6, 2023 • 34 mins
Alex Abboud is a licensed social worker and victims advocate who has spent her professional life finding new ways to provide services and support for victims and survivors recovering from harm.
From developing the first social work response model for the city of Detroit to becoming CSSJ's Statewide Manager of Pennsylvania, Alex has extensive experience both providing direct services to survivors in the immediate aftermath of trauma as well as advocating to center the voices of survivors in policy making.
In this episode, Alex discusses her own survivor story and the journey of keeping her sexual assault secret for many years to the transformative experience of speaking out about it on her own terms at last year's Survivors Speak in Harrisburg, PA.
This episode of the Crime Survivors Speak Podcast illuminates the power of taking that brave first step toward using our voices to advocate for ourselves and our communities.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Welcome to this week'sepisode of Crime Survivors Speak.
My name is Aswad Thomas.
I'm the National Director of CrimeSurvivors for Safety and Justice.
We are a national network of 100,000victims of crime from across the country.
If you haven't already subscribed to stayup to date on the latest episodes, you
can do that on YouTube, apple Podcasts,Spotify, and other streaming platforms by
(00:24):
clicking the link on your screen or goingto the website at www.cssj.org/podcast.
Today, I'm excited for anothergreat conversation where we'll be
highlighting one of our amazingsurvivor leaders and our crime
survivors for safety and justice.
Statewide manager AlexAbboud from Pennsylvania.
(00:46):
Prior to joining the ASJ and CSSJteam, Alex worked in the city of
Pittsburgh's new Office of CommunityHealth and Safety, where she developed
the city's first social work programthat addressed the needs of crime
survivors and began to build a socialwork call response model for the city.
Alex is a strong advocate forcrisis intervention, harm reduction
(01:10):
practices, survivor supports, youthengagement and program development.
We're excited to talk to you allabout those ideas and solutions.
Alex, thank you so muchfor joining us today.
Awesome.
Awesome.
So let's dive into this amazingjourney that you've been on and
all of the program developmentadvocacy that you have been leading.
(01:32):
So let's start.
Tell us what drew you to advocacyand how that lead you to working
directly with crime survivors.
(03:14):
Amazing, amazing journeyfrom a survivor to advocate and using all
of the skills that you've acquired overthe years, especially the importance of
building, uh, relationships with people.
Alex, I wanna go back to, something youjust shared, just you briefly touched
on your, uh, survivor experience.
I would love to hear from you whenyou when through that experience, what
(03:36):
was the response of law enforcementor the justice system, and did
you access things like victims'services or victims' compensation?
(05:56):
Thank you,Alex, And as all survivors.
We remember that day so vividly.
Right.
We can just remember every second.
And I think, you know, for allof us, we all also constantly are
thinking about that moment and, andwhich at times I, mean, and also for
myself, that could be retraumatizing.
But you've mentionedsomething that I think.
(06:17):
is, uh, extremely important toelevate that people think that
the majority of crime that happensacross the country is reported, but
in fact, the majority of crime goesunreported and for the way victims'
services is designed, unfortunately,especially victims' services.
(06:37):
Tied to the justice systemis that in order for you to
get services, you have to.
file a police report.
after you filea police report, you have to
cooperate with law enforcement.
Right?
After you cooperate with lawenforcement, you may have to go through
the entire justice system process,as you mentioned, going to court,
(07:01):
taking the stand, testifying, right?
And for so many survivors that is.
a very hard process to go through and Iwanna commend you just for going through
that experience, but also, um, recognizingyou on your own healing journey on your.
(07:24):
Own time, wanted to share thatexperience with your husband
and started to share others.
It takes a, just a lotof courage to do that.
So you're, you're in thestate of Pennsylvania, right?
And in the state of Pennsylvania youhave the victims' compensation program.
You as an example, right.
You would not be eligible for the victims'compensation program for several reasons.
(07:48):
One, you did not report the crime to lawenforcement and that you did not disclose
your experience until eight years later,and so you did not report your crime
to law enforcement, and then also youdid not apply for the program within.
The time limits, right.
In order to be eligible forthe compensation program.
(08:09):
Well, How does that sound to you?
uh, as a survivor thatif you wanted to seek out services
even five years after that, experience,just that you would be, uh, most
likely denied access to counseling and
resources.
(11:30):
and that cycle, um, issomething that we have to break And
So if you are listening to today'spodcast, if you are a administrator,
if you are a victim advocate or electedofficial, or just part of the justice
system, we need people to recognizethat, you know, the majority of crime
goes un- uh, reported and that, youknow, majority of crime survivors
(11:51):
do not access victim compensation ordo not access, uh, victims' service.
So it's important for all of us toadvocate for those resources in those
communities, especially communities mostimpacted by violence, and to ensure that
we are prioritizing the healing and theservices of of crime survivors first Alex,
We've had this, like, this awesome trendon this podcast of speaking to leaders who
(12:13):
have gone to school and have their degree,uh, in social work, uh, including myself.
So Alex, you got yourmaster's in social work.
How did that really like pave thepath to the work you're doing now with
crime survivors for safety and justice?
(14:52):
[laughs] Most definitely.
So if you are listening social work,social work, please, uh, if you're
interested in helping people, communities,and families, I want you to really con-
really consider going down the path of,of social work, uh, which, you know,
has, have led us here, uh, right Alex toCrime Survivors for Safety and Justice.
So Alex, uh, this year, um, you helped to.
lead a Amazing conference in Harrisburgthis year, in June, called Survivors
(15:18):
Speak, uh, which is our, uh, first timehosting this event in Pennsylvania where
you led hundreds of crime survivors tothe state capitol for a advocacy day,
meeting with legislators, having a healingvigil to honor, remember the, the loved
ones we've lost and, and us as survivors.
What was that Experience like for youjoining Crime Survivors for Safety and
(15:39):
Justice, um, building chapters and, andorganizing, uh, members at the local
level, but also bringing, uh, themto the state capitol to advocate for
policies that help stop cycles of crime.
What was that experience like foryou leading hundreds of survivors
to the state capitol for this,uh, Survivors speak advocacy day?
(19:56):
But every time that I sharemy story, I get just extremely nervous.
Cause I feel like I'm opening upmyself to strangers at times, right?
Who don't know me, And I always wonderlike how I'm going to be judged.
Um, so I'm always like so nervous,sharing my story and speaking, but for
some reason, after that moment, it'sjust like, I just feel so fulfilled.
(20:22):
I just feel like I was able to just likerelieve so much stress, so much anxiety.
By sharing my story.
And for us as survivors, you know,everybody's healing journey is different.
And for many of us, sharing our storiesis part of our healing journey, not only
for ourselves, for our families, forother survivors, and for our communities.
(20:43):
But you talked about, you know,us going to Harrisburg for, uh,
the Survivors Speak Conference.
And We were going there to advocatefor a series of bills as part of
the Safer Pennsylvania Act, Nowfor Those, uh, Who may not.
know, Alex, what theSafer Pennsylvania Act is.
Can you tell us a little bit aboutwhat is the Safer Pennsylvania Act?
(21:04):
and What are some of the things thatwe are hoping to, uh, a accomplish
to better support survivors?
(21:50):
Not only have you likeplayed that significant role in helping
members to advocate for these bills,but also Alex, congratulations, uh,
as part of Crime Survivors for Safety
and Justice, this year in July, youalso passed two of your first bills.
Can you tell us about the impactof, uh, passing those two bills, uh,
as part of Safer Pennsylvania Act?
(22:10):
And what are survivor members, uh, sayingacross the state about that victory?
you playeda huge role in Alex.
I will say that huge role.
(24:49):
And shout out.
Shout to Rick.
Uh, shout out to folks like Dr.
Kevin Dolphin and, and Pearl Wiseand, and Yolanda, all of our survivor.
Uh, Ms.
Pat, uh, and Chester, all of oursurvivor leaders, uh, across the state
of Pennsylvania, uh, who many have neverbeen to the state capitol, uh, before, but
brung their voices and their Experiencesto the capital and already passed, uh,
(25:11):
two bills as part of the, uh, saferPennsylvania Act that Alex mentioned.
So we got more work to do aswell in helping to ensure that
all survivors get access to,employment, uh, protections as well.
Uh, many, uh, survivors are oftenhaving to return back to work
after becoming a victim of a crimeor after burying a loved one.
(25:31):
So we wanna ensure, uh, that survivorscan take their necessary time
off following a crime to recover.
To seek medical, uh, support to getaccess to services, but also to get, um,
opportunities and time to grieve and heal.
So, super excited, you know, overthese next few months to continue to
work on those bills, in addition tobringing trauma recovery centers to
(25:53):
the state of Pennsylvania, um, as well.
So, Alex, just speaking more broadly,About the solutions, uh, to safety.
Could you speak to the importance ofdisrupting cycles of trauma through
healing as a path to public safety?
(30:01):
So Alex is ourPennsylvania statewide manager.
So if you are in Pennsylvania, andyou wanna join, uh, our Pennsylvania
chapter, um, go to our website rightnow at www.cssj.org, Scroll down to
Pennsylvania, click on that link.
Join a local chapter in your area, oryou can join our statewide network.
But if you are not in Pennsylvania,you can still join and become a
(30:23):
member by going to our websiteas well, But Alex, you talked
about unaddressed trauma, right?
and how thatunaddressed trauma often leads
to further victimization.
Uh, and also, uh, contact.
with the justice system.
Let's think about all thebillions of dollars we spend
on the criminal justice system.
What if we spent every dollar onvictims' services, on uh, prevention,
(30:49):
on mental health treatment?
We can stop a lot of violence fromhappening and we can stop people
who have been victims before.
Of coming in contact, uh,with the justice system.
And so that's what CrimeSurvivors for safety and justice.
What we want to build this, this,this network in Pennsylvania of crime
survivors all across the state whowant to come together to heal and to
(31:11):
share our stories and to advocate forthat justice system that prioritizes
healing, prevention and recoveryover more spending on incarceration.
That's how we keep communitiessafe and keep communities well.
Alex, my final question for you, um,so what's next for, uh, crime survivors
for Safety and Justice in Pennsylvania?
(31:31):
What are some of the things that you'llbe doing and some of our chapters will
be doing over these, uh, next few monthson the ground in local communities?
(32:53):
Yes, and we do haveyou all across the state, Alex,
It's alot of trainings, Right?
A lot of meetings.
Also, uh, we are also gearing upfor, you know, to talk about more
policies as part of our policy.
Uh, retreats as well.
We got the heal the vote, uh, campaign.
So a lot is happening.
So if you are a survivor that wants toconnect with a community of survivors,
not only in Pennsylvania but in statesacross the country to get peer to peer
(33:17):
support, To attend, uh, activities,meetings, events, trainings to raise
your voice to help change policiesat the local, and state levels, Join
crime survivors for safety and justice.
Once again, Alex, thank youso much for your vision.
Thank you so much for your leadership inthe state of Pennsylvania and also across.
(33:38):
uh, The country, and thank youso much for joining us today.
Remember to join cssjPennsylvania chapter.
Visit the website at cssj.org tojoin a local chapter near you.
Alex, thank you so muchfor joining us today.
It's been a pleasure.
And, and thank you all for, uh,listening to today's episode.
(33:59):
Remember, you can tune into all podcastepisodes on YouTube, apple Podcasts,
Spotify, and other streaming platforms.
We are always healing through action.
And as we heard to day, in the state ofPennsylvania when survivors spoke, change
happens with the passing of two bills.
So as always, how we close out theCrime Survivors Speak podcast is
(34:22):
when Survivors speak, change happens.
Thank you all so much and I'll talkto you all on the next episode.
Welcome to this week'sepisode of Crime Survivors Speak.
My name is Aswad Thomas.
I'm the National Director of CrimeSurvivors for Safety and Justice.
We are a national network of 100,000victims of crime from across the country.
If you haven't already subscribed to stayup to date on the latest episodes, you
can do that on YouTube, apple Podcasts,Spotify, and other streaming platforms by
(00:24):
clicking the link on your screen or goingto the website at www.cssj.org/podcast.
Today, I'm excited for anothergreat conversation where we'll be
highlighting one of our amazingsurvivor leaders and our crime
survivors for safety and justice.
Statewide manager AlexAbboud from Pennsylvania.
(00:46):
Prior to joining the ASJ and CSSJteam, Alex worked in the city of
Pittsburgh's new Office of CommunityHealth and Safety, where she developed
the city's first social work programthat addressed the needs of crime
survivors and began to build a socialwork call response model for the city.
Alex is a strong advocate forcrisis intervention, harm reduction
(01:10):
practices, survivor supports, youthengagement and program development.
We're excited to talk to you allabout those ideas and solutions.
Alex, thank you so muchfor joining us today.
Awesome.
Awesome.
So let's dive into this amazingjourney that you've been on and
all of the program developmentadvocacy that you have been leading.
(01:32):
So let's start.
Tell us what drew you to advocacyand how that lead you to working
directly with crime survivors.
(03:14):
Amazing, amazing journeyfrom a survivor to advocate and using all
of the skills that you've acquired overthe years, especially the importance of
building, uh, relationships with people.
Alex, I wanna go back to, something youjust shared, just you briefly touched
on your, uh, survivor experience.
I would love to hear from you whenyou when through that experience, what
(03:36):
was the response of law enforcementor the justice system, and did
you access things like victims'services or victims' compensation?
(05:56):
Thank you,Alex, And as all survivors.
We remember that day so vividly.
Right.
We can just remember every second.
And I think, you know, for allof us, we all also constantly are
thinking about that moment and, andwhich at times I, mean, and also for
myself, that could be retraumatizing.
But you've mentionedsomething that I think.
(06:17):
is, uh, extremely important toelevate that people think that
the majority of crime that happensacross the country is reported, but
in fact, the majority of crime goesunreported and for the way victims'
services is designed, unfortunately,especially victims' services.
(06:37):
Tied to the justice systemis that in order for you to
get services, you have to.
file a police report.
after you filea police report, you have to
cooperate with law enforcement.
Right?
After you cooperate with lawenforcement, you may have to go through
the entire justice system process,as you mentioned, going to court,
(07:01):
taking the stand, testifying, right?
And for so many survivors that is.
a very hard process to go through and Iwanna commend you just for going through
that experience, but also, um, recognizingyou on your own healing journey on your.
(07:24):
Own time, wanted to share thatexperience with your husband
and started to share others.
It takes a, just a lotof courage to do that.
So you're, you're in thestate of Pennsylvania, right?
And in the state of Pennsylvania youhave the victims' compensation program.
You as an example, right.
You would not be eligible for the victims'compensation program for several reasons.
(07:48):
One, you did not report the crime to lawenforcement and that you did not disclose
your experience until eight years later,and so you did not report your crime
to law enforcement, and then also youdid not apply for the program within.
The time limits, right.
In order to be eligible forthe compensation program.
(08:09):
Well, How does that sound to you?
uh, as a survivor thatif you wanted to seek out services
even five years after that, experience,just that you would be, uh, most
likely denied access to counseling and
resources.
(11:30):
and that cycle, um, issomething that we have to break And
So if you are listening to today'spodcast, if you are a administrator,
if you are a victim advocate or electedofficial, or just part of the justice
system, we need people to recognizethat, you know, the majority of crime
goes un- uh, reported and that, youknow, majority of crime survivors
(11:51):
do not access victim compensation ordo not access, uh, victims' service.
So it's important for all of us toadvocate for those resources in those
communities, especially communities mostimpacted by violence, and to ensure that
we are prioritizing the healing and theservices of of crime survivors first Alex,
We've had this, like, this awesome trendon this podcast of speaking to leaders who
(12:13):
have gone to school and have their degree,uh, in social work, uh, including myself.
So Alex, you got yourmaster's in social work.
How did that really like pave thepath to the work you're doing now with
crime survivors for safety and justice?
(14:52):
[laughs] Most definitely.
So if you are listening social work,social work, please, uh, if you're
interested in helping people, communities,and families, I want you to really con-
really consider going down the path of,of social work, uh, which, you know,
has, have led us here, uh, right Alex toCrime Survivors for Safety and Justice.
So Alex, uh, this year, um, you helped to.
lead a Amazing conference in Harrisburgthis year, in June, called Survivors
(15:18):
Speak, uh, which is our, uh, first timehosting this event in Pennsylvania where
you led hundreds of crime survivors tothe state capitol for a advocacy day,
meeting with legislators, having a healingvigil to honor, remember the, the loved
ones we've lost and, and us as survivors.
What was that Experience like for youjoining Crime Survivors for Safety and
(15:39):
Justice, um, building chapters and, andorganizing, uh, members at the local
level, but also bringing, uh, themto the state capitol to advocate for
policies that help stop cycles of crime.
What was that experience like foryou leading hundreds of survivors
to the state capitol for this,uh, Survivors speak advocacy day?
(19:56):
But every time that I sharemy story, I get just extremely nervous.
Cause I feel like I'm opening upmyself to strangers at times, right?
Who don't know me, And I always wonderlike how I'm going to be judged.
Um, so I'm always like so nervous,sharing my story and speaking, but for
some reason, after that moment, it'sjust like, I just feel so fulfilled.
(20:22):
I just feel like I was able to just likerelieve so much stress, so much anxiety.
By sharing my story.
And for us as survivors, you know,everybody's healing journey is different.
And for many of us, sharing our storiesis part of our healing journey, not only
for ourselves, for our families, forother survivors, and for our communities.
(20:43):
But you talked about, you know,us going to Harrisburg for, uh,
the Survivors Speak Conference.
And We were going there to advocatefor a series of bills as part of
the Safer Pennsylvania Act, Nowfor Those, uh, Who may not.
know, Alex, what theSafer Pennsylvania Act is.
Can you tell us a little bit aboutwhat is the Safer Pennsylvania Act?
(21:04):
and What are some of the things thatwe are hoping to, uh, a accomplish
to better support survivors?
(21:50):
Not only have you likeplayed that significant role in helping
members to advocate for these bills,but also Alex, congratulations, uh,
as part of Crime Survivors for Safety
and Justice, this year in July, youalso passed two of your first bills.
Can you tell us about the impactof, uh, passing those two bills, uh,
as part of Safer Pennsylvania Act?
(22:10):
And what are survivor members, uh, sayingacross the state about that victory?
you playeda huge role in Alex.
I will say that huge role.
(24:49):
And shout out.
Shout to Rick.
Uh, shout out to folks like Dr.
Kevin Dolphin and, and Pearl Wiseand, and Yolanda, all of our survivor.
Uh, Ms.
Pat, uh, and Chester, all of oursurvivor leaders, uh, across the state
of Pennsylvania, uh, who many have neverbeen to the state capitol, uh, before, but
brung their voices and their Experiencesto the capital and already passed, uh,
(25:11):
two bills as part of the, uh, saferPennsylvania Act that Alex mentioned.
So we got more work to do aswell in helping to ensure that
all survivors get access to,employment, uh, protections as well.
Uh, many, uh, survivors are oftenhaving to return back to work
after becoming a victim of a crimeor after burying a loved one.
(25:31):
So we wanna ensure, uh, that survivorscan take their necessary time
off following a crime to recover.
To seek medical, uh, support to getaccess to services, but also to get, um,
opportunities and time to grieve and heal.
So, super excited, you know, overthese next few months to continue to
work on those bills, in addition tobringing trauma recovery centers to
(25:53):
the state of Pennsylvania, um, as well.
So, Alex, just speaking more broadly,About the solutions, uh, to safety.
Could you speak to the importance ofdisrupting cycles of trauma through
healing as a path to public safety?
(30:01):
So Alex is ourPennsylvania statewide manager.
So if you are in Pennsylvania, andyou wanna join, uh, our Pennsylvania
chapter, um, go to our website rightnow at www.cssj.org, Scroll down to
Pennsylvania, click on that link.
Join a local chapter in your area, oryou can join our statewide network.
But if you are not in Pennsylvania,you can still join and become a
(30:23):
member by going to our websiteas well, But Alex, you talked
about unaddressed trauma, right?
and how thatunaddressed trauma often leads
to further victimization.
Uh, and also, uh, contact.
with the justice system.
Let's think about all thebillions of dollars we spend
on the criminal justice system.
What if we spent every dollar onvictims' services, on uh, prevention,
(30:49):
on mental health treatment?
We can stop a lot of violence fromhappening and we can stop people
who have been victims before.
Of coming in contact, uh,with the justice system.
And so that's what CrimeSurvivors for safety and justice.
What we want to build this, this,this network in Pennsylvania of crime
survivors all across the state whowant to come together to heal and to
(31:11):
share our stories and to advocate forthat justice system that prioritizes
healing, prevention and recoveryover more spending on incarceration.
That's how we keep communitiessafe and keep communities well.
Alex, my final question for you, um,so what's next for, uh, crime survivors
for Safety and Justice in Pennsylvania?
(31:31):
What are some of the things that you'llbe doing and some of our chapters will
be doing over these, uh, next few monthson the ground in local communities?
(32:53):
Yes, and we do haveyou all across the state, Alex,
It's alot of trainings, Right?
A lot of meetings.
Also, uh, we are also gearing upfor, you know, to talk about more
policies as part of our policy.
Uh, retreats as well.
We got the heal the vote, uh, campaign.
So a lot is happening.
So if you are a survivor that wants toconnect with a community of survivors,
not only in Pennsylvania but in statesacross the country to get peer to peer
(33:17):
support, To attend, uh, activities,meetings, events, trainings to raise
your voice to help change policiesat the local, and state levels, Join
crime survivors for safety and justice.
Once again, Alex, thank youso much for your vision.
Thank you so much for your leadership inthe state of Pennsylvania and also across.
(33:38):
uh, The country, and thank youso much for joining us today.
Remember to join cssjPennsylvania chapter.
Visit the website at cssj.org tojoin a local chapter near you.
Alex, thank you so muchfor joining us today.
It's been a pleasure.
And, and thank you all for, uh,listening to today's episode.
(33:59):
Remember, you can tune into all podcastepisodes on YouTube, apple Podcasts,
Spotify, and other streaming platforms.
We are always healing through action.
And as we heard to day, in the state ofPennsylvania when survivors spoke, change
happens with the passing of two bills.
So as always, how we close out theCrime Survivors Speak podcast is
(34:22):
when Survivors speak, change happens.
Thank you all so much and I'll talkto you all on the next episode.
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