Why Safe and Stable Stewards Exists

My Story

I was molested as a child around age 8 by someone very close to me in my community - which is sadly typical, as at least one in four girls and one in six boys in the United States experience child sexual abuse, with about 90% perpetrated by someone known and trusted by the child or family.

Like so many others, I was told I was just "playing a game." It took years for me to realize something wrong had happened. When I finally remembered at age 13 during a church conference, I had a panic attack. I shared my story with another girl there, only to discover the same thing had been happening to her. Then we never spoke about it again.

Growing up in a religious environment during the peaks of purity culture created a vacuum of spaces where I could learn about my body, sexuality, or safety. I didn't have the language I needed to tell someone what was happening to me. As a young Black girl, I was constantly being sexualized and told to be hypervigilant about my behavior, or else I would be labeled as "fast." These messages, combined with my assault, caused me to internalize shame about what had happened to me.

The silence and shame I carried prevented me from speaking about my assault for years. When I was sexually harassed by a college faculty member at 19, I felt cursed to be hurt in this way again and again. But this time was different - I was in a college community where talking about sexual harassment was commonplace. My college community supported me with information, emotional support, resources, and consequences for my perpetrator. This experience gave me space to explore new passions and ultimately led me to becoming a doula and discovering reproductive justice work.

Engaging in restorative justice practices helped me break the cycle of abuse and shame. It gave me the confidence to come forward about my childhood assault and even confront my abuser directly.

The Mission

One piece of information that stuck with me while learning about childhood sexual assault is how much of it can be prevented through comprehensive sex education. But I knew it had to be more than that. The communal wounds created by abuse, shame, and silence needed healing too.

That's why Safe and Stable Stewards goes beyond sexual education to include practices that help children connect with themselves, their values, and their communities. When young people have something to fall back on - when they know who they are and what they value - overcoming shame becomes easier and they can create safer bonds that honor their authentic selves.

Breaking the Loop

For me, justice means breaking the loop of abuse, shame, and silence. This curriculum gives young people the tools I wish I had: the language to name what's happening to them, the skills to trust their inner wisdom, and the community support to speak up when something isn't right.

Every young person deserves to know they are their first guide - that their feelings, boundaries, and experiences matter. They deserve comprehensive information, supportive community, and the confidence to navigate their lives with integrity and safety.

That's why this work exists. To break loops. To heal communities. To empower the next generation with the tools they need to protect themselves and each other.