Standing for Survivors - A Webinar Panel Discussion on Being an Active Bystander

Survivors of Sexual Assault are often not heard from their relatives and friends, and this results in a constant internal struggle. People who identify as survivors can feel validated and be heard. Through this webinar, anyone who has experienced sexual assault can inform themselves that they are not alone, and that there are people who are willing to listen to their story. This will be an opportunity to provide resources to survivors on this topic, and this will be a chance to give a platform to experts about sexual assault to survivors and allies.

MEET YOUR PANELISTS:

About Dr. Ada Cheng: 

An educator-turned storyteller and producer, Dr. Ada Cheng utilizes storytelling to illustrate structural inequities, raise critical awareness, and build intimate communities. Committed to amplifying and uplifting marginalized voices, she has created numerous storytelling platforms for BIPOC and LGBTQIA community members to tell difficult and vulnerable stories. Dr. Ada Cheng is currently a visiting associate professor with the Asian American Studies Program at Northwestern University as well as an adjunct faculty at Dominican University.

About Sara Ogawa Heidbreder, LCPC, BC-DMT: 

Sara is a gender-based violence advocate, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, and dance-movement therapist originally from Japan. She worked as a counselor and programs supervisor at a Chicago local domestic violence agency, and currently is serving as a confidential survivor support advocate at the university setting. She utilizes a body-based, holistic, and multicultural approach, and invites culture and identities into the healing space as they are often the source of resiliency.

About Seth Quam: 

Seth is a graduate student at U of Illinois Chicago studying social work and public health. He has previous experiences working in sexual violence victim-survivor advocacy, perpetrator accountability/transformation, and in prevention. He is passionate about dismantling masculinity in order to promote healthy relationships.

MEET YOUR HOST:

About Emmanuel:

I’m a Loyola University Chicago student majoring in Psychology. I’m a Spring 2022 Program Intern for Self-Reclaimed, and I’m super chill. I feel like a lot of people don’t understand the severity of sexual assault and how relevant it is, especially in student life. It’s like an avoided topic. I want to spread the idea of advocating for survivorship and spreading the importance of sexual assault awareness.