From Silence to Strength: My 70-Year Journey to Healing

In this powerful episode of A Trauma Survivor Thriver’s Podcast, host Lorilee Binstock speaks with Babs Walters, survivor and author of Facing the Jaguar: A Memoir of Courage and Confrontation. Babs shares her courageous journey of healing from childhood sexual abuse by her father—a trauma she kept secret for over 70 years.

Raised by teenage parents who met in reform school, Babs faced a childhood filled with violence, betrayal, and emotional neglect. After being sexually abused at age 11 and threatened into silence, she bravely attempted to speak out at 14 and 16—only to be dismissed and disbelieved by trusted adults. Decades of shame and guilt followed, until she began her path to healing later in life.

🎧 In this episode, Babs and Lorilee explore:

• The long-term effects of childhood trauma

• The silence and stigma surrounding sexual abuse

• What happens when survivors are not believed

• The impact of family secrets and generational trauma

• How Babs found healing through writing, self-reflection, and confronting the past

• The importance of sharing survivor stories to reduce shame and inspire others 

You can also share your story through https://bravevoices.org/speak/

This conversation is a raw and inspiring reminder that healing is always possible—no matter how much time has passed. Whether you’re a survivor, a supporter, or someone looking to better understand the lasting effects of childhood trauma, this episode offers deep insight, compassion, and hope.

🔗 Connect with us:
Website: www.traumasurvivorthriver.com
Guest: by Babs Walters, Author of Facing the Jaguar 
Host: Lorilee Binstock | A Trauma Survivor Thriver’s Podcast

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