When I attend conferences, I'm typically an observer—listening in sessions, people watching in crowded hallways and lobbies, tracking long coffee and elevator lines—but last week at NSAC2025 was different.
The National Sexual Assault Conference in Anaheim, CA hosted by ValorUS and Respect Together exuded a sense of joy; a feeling of people coming home. It was a community brought together by a shared dedication to justice and healing. I hosted ATSA's exhibit booth with my colleague Jessica Yip, ATSA's Manager of Conference & Chapter Relations. Throughout the conference, our booth was a hub of engagement. A wide diversity of attendees stopped by, eager to learn more about ATSA.
"Tell me what you do?" or "What's this all about?" they would ask, gesturing at the table full of resources, and each exchange became an opportunity to connect unfamiliar dots. Many attendees were unacquainted with ATSA's work and the work of our members. As we pieced together how ATSA works impacted the booth's guests it felt as though we were filling a gap that they had recognized in their professional journeys. Jess and I had conversations with a spectrum of professionals providing services to those who had experienced sexual harm. We found ourselves returning to the critical importance of preventing harm and how ATSA was an essential piece of the puzzle.
That significance was reinforced by ValorUS CEO, Sandra Henriquez, who set the tone with her powerful opening remarks. She shared how her profound experiences working with the California Sex Offender Management Board illuminated new perspectives on preventing sexual abuse. Sandra's reflections on working with individuals under civil commitment were especially moving as she discussed how her perspective shifted through this work. One conversation she recounted was with a family seeking the best path forward for their son on the registry, opening her eyes—and ours—to a broader view of prevention work. It was a poignant reminder of the nuance that permeates the work of effective sexual abuse prevention.
A conference highlight for me was the honor of presenting the Gail Burns Smith Award to Dr. Tyffani Monford and Melissa Webb, LCSW.
As a psychologist, researcher, and immediate past president of ATSA, Dr. Monford's leadership is marked by courage and a commitment to bridging divides between survivors and those who have caused harm. Her transformative work includes co-founding Living at the Intersections with her daughters, supporting Black girls and nonbinary youth, and creating the Sisters of Tamar Support Circle for Black women survivors. Nationwide, she trains professionals to ensure prevention and treatment aren't seen in silos, but as interconnected efforts of support.
Melissa Webb, who owns practices in Nevada and Nebraska, has spent nearly two decades building bridges between systems—connecting parole and probation officers with child advocacy centers, training foster parents and caseworkers, and creating welcoming spaces for some of society's most challenging cases.
This conference was more than just an training opportunity; it was a reminder of the resilience, hope, and shared determination present in our communities. I left Anaheim feeling energized and ready to continue to promote the great work of ATSA and its members.
The National Sexual Assault Conference in Anaheim, CA hosted by ValorUS and Respect Together exuded a sense of joy; a feeling of people coming home. It was a community brought together by a shared dedication to justice and healing. I hosted ATSA's exhibit booth with my colleague Jessica Yip, ATSA's Manager of Conference & Chapter Relations. Throughout the conference, our booth was a hub of engagement. A wide diversity of attendees stopped by, eager to learn more about ATSA.
"Tell me what you do?" or "What's this all about?" they would ask, gesturing at the table full of resources, and each exchange became an opportunity to connect unfamiliar dots. Many attendees were unacquainted with ATSA's work and the work of our members. As we pieced together how ATSA works impacted the booth's guests it felt as though we were filling a gap that they had recognized in their professional journeys. Jess and I had conversations with a spectrum of professionals providing services to those who had experienced sexual harm. We found ourselves returning to the critical importance of preventing harm and how ATSA was an essential piece of the puzzle.
That significance was reinforced by ValorUS CEO, Sandra Henriquez, who set the tone with her powerful opening remarks. She shared how her profound experiences working with the California Sex Offender Management Board illuminated new perspectives on preventing sexual abuse. Sandra's reflections on working with individuals under civil commitment were especially moving as she discussed how her perspective shifted through this work. One conversation she recounted was with a family seeking the best path forward for their son on the registry, opening her eyes—and ours—to a broader view of prevention work. It was a poignant reminder of the nuance that permeates the work of effective sexual abuse prevention.
A conference highlight for me was the honor of presenting the Gail Burns Smith Award to Dr. Tyffani Monford and Melissa Webb, LCSW.
As a psychologist, researcher, and immediate past president of ATSA, Dr. Monford's leadership is marked by courage and a commitment to bridging divides between survivors and those who have caused harm. Her transformative work includes co-founding Living at the Intersections with her daughters, supporting Black girls and nonbinary youth, and creating the Sisters of Tamar Support Circle for Black women survivors. Nationwide, she trains professionals to ensure prevention and treatment aren't seen in silos, but as interconnected efforts of support.
Melissa Webb, who owns practices in Nevada and Nebraska, has spent nearly two decades building bridges between systems—connecting parole and probation officers with child advocacy centers, training foster parents and caseworkers, and creating welcoming spaces for some of society's most challenging cases.
This conference was more than just an training opportunity; it was a reminder of the resilience, hope, and shared determination present in our communities. I left Anaheim feeling energized and ready to continue to promote the great work of ATSA and its members.
