The Army of Survivors

💻 You are invited to virtual office hours with TAOS to discuss the current climate of abuse in sports, including intersections with the 2024 Summer Olympics. TAOS advocates will be available to answer your questions and share resources for supporting athlete survivors. Register, here: https://loom.ly/Oi9CzS4 #TAOS #TheArmyOfSurvivors #EndAbuseInSports

Sometimes we forget to prioritize ourselves or stick to our boundaries, so we're here to remind you that it's okay if it takes a conscious effort. If you feel comfortable, share in the comments how you are going to prioritize yourself today ⬇️ #SelfCare #TAOS #TheArmyOfSurvivors

The Army of Survivors, Kyniska Advocacy, and the Sport & Rights Alliance Athlete Network published a statement calling for the disqualification of athlete sex offender from Paris 2024. “An athlete convicted of child sexual abuse, no matter in what country, should not be awarded the opportunity to compete in the Olympic Games,” - Julie Ann Rivers-Cochran, MSW, Executive Director of The Army of Survivors. “To have a convicted rapist representing their country on a global stage not only goes entirely against the Olympic ideals and commitments but it shatters the IOC’s vision of building ‘a better world through sport,’” - Mhairi Maclennan, survivor, Co-Founder & CEO, Kyniska Advocacy. “We strongly encourage the International Olympic Committee – IOC to choose institutional courage, seek the truth and engage in moral action, despite the unpleasantness, risk, and short-term costs” - Joanna Maranhão. “We call on the IOC to act swiftly and in solidarity with athletes and athlete survivors of abuse in sport.” The Sport & Rights Alliance Athletes Network for Safer Sports, The Army of Survivors and Kyniska Advocacy urge the IOC to take the following actions: 1. Issue a statement disqualifying Van de Velde from participation in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. 2. Review and strengthen the Olympic eligibility criteria for all competitions, in consultation with civil society and affected people, to align with international safeguarding standards and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. 3. Conduct comprehensive background checks on all athletes, coaches, trainers, and individuals that will have access to athletes and/or the Olympic Village. Read the full statement here: https://loom.ly/uRQkLJQ

We are big advocates for self-care at TAOS! 📸 Social media can often simplify the importance of self-care and the vital role it plays in the healing process for those who have experienced trauma. Self-care is essential for trauma survivors because it addresses the multifaceted impact of trauma on emotional, physical, and mental health. It supports recovery, builds resilience, fosters empowerment, and enhances overall quality of life. Prioritizing self-care can help trauma survivors heal and reclaim their well-being. We understand that self-care isn’t always easy to take on by yourself, and your self-care journey is unique to your own lived experiences, so what works for others may not be what works for you. We have shared some ideas for our community to try, but remember to explore different strategies to find what works best for you! 🗣 If you have found a self-care technique that has helped you, we would love to hear from you. #TAOS #TheArmyOfSurvivors #SelfCare #ActsOfSelfLove #Journaling #SelfHealing #EndAbuseInSports #ActsOfSelfLove #Journaling #SelfHealing #EndAbuseInSports

💡 Learning moment! If a loved one or friend is experiencing a trauma response, it can be hard to know what to say or how to respond. Trauma responses have wide ranges in how they present and impact people and can vary from someone “zoning out” or not paying attention to having a panic attack and struggling to breathe and feel safe. Regardless of how a trauma response presents itself, it is important to be patient and understanding while allowing the person to express themselves how they choose to. You don't always need to give advice or have an answer for everything. Being a good listener and being present is a big help. Trauma responses can last from minutes to hours and their effects can last for days. Here are some tips on how to support your loved one in a trauma-informed way in the moment: #EndAbuseInSports #PTSD #AnxietyDisorders #TAOS #TheArmyOfSurvivors

#DidYouKnow that we have curated a reading list perfect for relaxing, unwinding, and escaping. 📚 Check them out, here: https://loom.ly/OHpdfv4 While we've added a few of our favorite books, we would love to hear more about YOUR favorites in the comments below ⬇️ #TAOS #TheArmyOfSurvivors #ReadingList #EndAbuseInSports

🏃♀️ TAOS runner in the upcoming NYC Marathon, Khati, has raised $3,000 for our cause! We couldn't be any more proud of our team, and the individuals who continue to help us create and advocate for a safer space in sports. Congratulations, and thank you, Khati! 🏅 💪 Who will be the next TAOS runner to reach their goal?

As we wind down from work this week, we want to invite you all to take 15 minutes to get yourselves ready for the weekend ahead. 💙 This could look like diving into a book or taking time to reassert your boundaries with people around you. Self-care comes in so many shapes and sizes, and we honor them all! #selfcare #15minutes #endabuseinsports #TAOS #TheArmyOfSurvivors

Juneteenth is not only a celebration of freedom, recognizing the Emancipation Proclamation of 1862 in which enslaved African Americans were declared free, but also a reminder of the delayed freedom and struggles that enslaved African Americans endured. The holiday is also a reminder of the reality that systemic oppression and racial exploitation in the United States has not ended. For non-black Americans, TAOS encourages you to consider today as a day to reflect on the significance of Juneteenth. We encourage you to do more than just post and share content. We encourage action! Here's how you can support those in the Black American community, not just today, but every day: ☑️ Consume media from Black creators: The difference in both pay & analytics when it comes to Black artists, authors, influencers, and content creators compared to non-black creators is staggering and proof that there is much more work to be done when it comes to equality and equity. ☑️ Support Black-owned businesses: Buying goods and services from Black-owned businesses is a great way to show support. Remember to leave a review and recommend your experience to other people! ☑️ Give to a local Black nonprofit that serves the needs of African Americans. ☑️ Attend a Juneteenth celebration and learn more about its significance to the Black community. ☑️ Research: It is not the Black community's job to educate everyone around them on proper language, behavior, and history. There are tons of great books and resources written by Black authors created to help non-black people better understand Black history and experiences. #Juneteenth #June19th #BlackAmericanCommunity #TAOS #TheArmyOfSurvivors

❌ Myth: There's no way reaching out can make much of a difference when my friend or loved one is going through something so hard, especially when I am not familiar with tools to help. ✔️ Fact: Sometimes, showing your support and putting in work to help your friend or loved one feel more comfortable can mean a lot, and make a big difference. If you're a friend or ally, and are not sure how to help, check out the resources we have for you: https://loom.ly/1P4gibA #TAOS #TheArmyOfSurvivors #SurvivorResources #AbuseInSports #AllySupport