This is PART 1 of a four-part series; an interview of Mac McDonald.

Mac McDonald was one of four people who, many years ago, brought up the idea of me producing a podcast to help educate and inform victims and survivors of sexual assault and rape, on trauma-informed interview principles, as well as the neuroscience of trauma and memory. It is with a thankful and proud heart that I am able to present this week’s episode—an interview of Mac. Mac has held true to their promise to be a guest on this show, and for that, I am eternally grateful.

Mac’s story is one of coercion, fear, and manipulation; their trauma still haunts and interferes in Mac's life. But Mac is strong and feels that if even one person is impacted positively by their story, they have done some good with their traumatic and hurtful experience. Mac’s heart is tender, yet strong. And they talk about the pain they endured for years at the hands of a poorly informed Title IX coordinator, as well as administrators at the college where their rape occurred. They have a message for that Title IX coordinator and the college administrators that resonates for everyone involved in Title IX investigations of rape and sexual assault: be empathic, and start by believing. Stop blaming victims. Start investigating predators and perpetrators. Mac wants to help bring justice to victims of rape and sexual assault, and I am grateful that I can help in that goal!

The interviews of the other three panelists who suggested I start Sexual Assault Survivor Stories will be posted in the following weeks…this is a series you won’t want to miss. Please pass on the word, that SASS exists to help bring justice to victims or rape and sexual assault. Tell everyone you know to listen to this podcast; because we all know someone whose life has been affected by rape or sexual assault. And remember: Start by Believing!