{"id":2892,"date":"2025-10-28T10:49:38","date_gmt":"2025-10-28T10:49:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ca.pursuitpathways.com\/?page_id=2892"},"modified":"2025-11-01T21:03:56","modified_gmt":"2025-11-01T21:03:56","slug":"breaking-the-silence","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ca.pursuitpathways.com\/home\/breaking-the-silence\/","title":{"rendered":"Shield the Vulnerable: Untold Stories \u2013 Breaking the Silence"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"2892\" class=\"elementor elementor-2892\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c8d2a42 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"c8d2a42\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f6592da elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f6592da\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Shield the Vulnerable: Untold Stories \u2013 Breaking the Silence<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4adff01 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"4adff01\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1c645c6 e-con-full elementor-hidden-mobile e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"1c645c6\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-463fa02 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"463fa02\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/ca.pursuitpathways.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Untitled-design-10-1024x576.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-2895\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ca.pursuitpathways.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Untitled-design-10-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/ca.pursuitpathways.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Untitled-design-10-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/ca.pursuitpathways.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Untitled-design-10-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/ca.pursuitpathways.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Untitled-design-10.png 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fa50bb4 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"fa50bb4\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-24dd453 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"24dd453\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIn this emotional episode of <b>Shield the Vulnerable: Untold Stories<\/b>, host <b>Dave<\/b> sits down with <b>Mary Jo Ross<\/b>, a survivor who turned tragedy into transformation. Her story takes us from unthinkable trauma to powerful resilience \u2014 showing that healing and hope are possible even after the darkest experiences.\n  <br><br>\n  Mary Jo\u2019s journey reveals the long-term impact of child trafficking, the barriers survivors face when seeking help, and the power of reclaiming one\u2019s voice after years of silence.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f7191c5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f7191c5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t <h2>The Early Years<\/h2>\n  \u201cThe first time I was sex trafficked was by my grandfather when I was five years old,\u201d Mary Jo shares. \u201cSometimes my mom sold me because there were seven of us and no income. I thought it was just part of being in the family \u2014 that someone had to provide food.\u201d\n  <br><br>\n  Her honesty brings to light how exploitation can begin in the most familiar and trusted environments, often hidden behind family walls. \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-83c9f63 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"83c9f63\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-595099c e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"595099c\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-94f1b29 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"94f1b29\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Finding Her Voice<\/h2>\n  Despite her experiences, Mary Jo\u2019s story is one of survival and strength. \u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter what trauma you went through \u2014 it\u2019s possible to go from victim to survivor to thriver,\u201d she says. \u201cI have a family, close friends, and a voice I never had before.\u201d\n  <br><br>\n  Her transformation inspires hope, showing that recovery is not just survival \u2014 it\u2019s rebuilding a meaningful life after pain.\n\n  <h2>When Reaching Out Isn\u2019t Easy<\/h2>\n  \u201cI called and said, \u2018I\u2019ve been sexually abused, I need help,\u2019\u201d Mary Jo recalls. \u201cThe nurse made me feel like I should never have said those words. Instead of two days, she made me wait three weeks.\u201d\n  <br><br>\n  This moment exposes the challenges survivors face when seeking support \u2014 the disbelief, the delays, and the emotional toll of being dismissed.\n\n  <h2>The Body Keeps the Score<\/h2>\n  Over time, Mary Jo discovered how her physical pain was rooted in emotional trauma. \u201cThey could never figure out what my pain was,\u201d she explains, \u201cbut I know now \u2014 that\u2019s a result of all the trauma I kept inside. The body keeps the score.\u201d\n  <br><br>\n  Her reflection echoes the deep connection between mind, body, and healing \u2014 reminding us that recovery must address both emotional and physical scars.\n\n  <h2>Sharing Her Story<\/h2>\n  \u201cThree years ago, I told my whole story for the first time,\u201d Mary Jo says. \u201cThat\u2019s when I realized my calling \u2014 to share it and show it\u2019s possible to go from 17 years of hell to having a great life now.\u201d\n  <br><br>\n  Her decision to speak out has helped countless others find courage to begin their own healing journeys.\n\n  <h2>Belief and Belonging<\/h2>\n  \u201cWhen I was 24, someone in law enforcement was the first person to say, \u2018I believe you.\u2019 Those words made such an impact. He\u2019s still my hero.\u201d\n  <br><br>\n  For Mary Jo, that simple act of belief marked a turning point \u2014 proof that compassion and validation can change a life.\n\n  <h2>Final Thoughts<\/h2>\n  Mary Jo Ross\u2019s story is one of resilience, redemption, and courage. Her voice gives power to those who still feel unseen and unheard. Through her advocacy and testimony, she reminds us that healing begins the moment someone chooses to listen.\n  <br><br>\n  <b>\u201cIt\u2019s possible to go from victim, to survivor, to thriver.\u201d<\/b>\n  <br><br>\n  Every story shared brings light to the hidden realities of exploitation \u2014 and every listener has the power to help shield the vulnerable.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3bd1d0d e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"3bd1d0d\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b1c56d2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-video\" data-id=\"b1c56d2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;youtube_url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/youtu.be\\\/AeFsHfHo3jk&quot;,&quot;video_type&quot;:&quot;youtube&quot;,&quot;controls&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"video.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-wrapper elementor-open-inline\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-video\"><\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f9e56a0 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"f9e56a0\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d979cda elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"d979cda\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div style=\"\r\n  position: relative;\r\n  width: 100%;\r\n  height: 100vh;\r\n  overflow: hidden;\r\n\">\r\n  <iframe \r\n    src=\"https:\/\/ca.pursuitpathways.com\/accordion\/\"\r\n    style=\"\r\n      position: absolute;\r\n      top: 0;\r\n      left: 0;\r\n      width: 100%;\r\n      height: 100%;\r\n      border: none;\r\n      overflow: hidden;\r\n    \"\r\n    loading=\"lazy\"\r\n    allowfullscreen\r\n  ><\/iframe>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e304d5d e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"e304d5d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-05c9de4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"05c9de4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">About Mary Jo Ross<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6ab6809 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"6ab6809\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-096047f e-con-full elementor-hidden-mobile e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"096047f\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-60fd460 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"60fd460\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/ca.pursuitpathways.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1718922176633.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-2894\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ca.pursuitpathways.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1718922176633.jpg 800w, https:\/\/ca.pursuitpathways.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1718922176633-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ca.pursuitpathways.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1718922176633-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/ca.pursuitpathways.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1718922176633-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-89b4bdc elementor-shape-rounded elementor-grid-0 e-grid-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-social-icons\" data-id=\"89b4bdc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"social-icons.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-social-icons-wrapper elementor-grid\" role=\"list\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-grid-item\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-icon elementor-social-icon elementor-social-icon-linkedin elementor-repeater-item-b5103a9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/maryjorichardsross\/\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-screen-only\">Linkedin<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fab fa-linkedin\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-grid-item\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-icon elementor-social-icon elementor-social-icon-globe elementor-repeater-item-f49281d\" href=\"https:\/\/www.maryjoross.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-screen-only\">Globe<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-globe\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b567f0b e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"b567f0b\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bb4a550 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"bb4a550\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b>Mary Jo Ross<\/b> is a dedicated advocate for survivors of child sexual abuse (CSA) and sex trafficking. With a mission to partner with survivors and elevate their voices, she uses a survivor-informed lens to drive change through education, advocacy, and community engagement.&nbsp;<br><br><\/p>\n<p>Mary Jo has built a career rooted in lived experience and empowerment\u2014organizing events, creating awareness campaigns, and providing platforms where survivors can reclaim their narratives. She believes in shifting the focus from victimhood to purpose, helping individuals recognize their worth and potential beyond their trauma.<br><br><\/p>\n<p>Her work emphasizes collaboration and systemic awareness: partnering with professionals, educators, and policy makers to ensure that care systems centre the voices of those impacted. Through every project and partnership, Mary Jo brings authenticity, compassion, and unwavering belief in the possibility of healing and transformation.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Shield the Vulnerable: Untold Stories \u2013 Breaking the Silence In this emotional episode of Shield the Vulnerable: Untold Stories, host Dave sits down with Mary Jo Ross, a survivor who turned tragedy into transformation. Her story takes us from unthinkable trauma to powerful resilience \u2014 showing that healing and hope are possible even after the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"no-sidebar","site-content-layout":"page-builder","ast-site-content-layout":"full-width-container","site-content-style":"unboxed","site-sidebar-style":"unboxed","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"disabled","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"disabled","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2892","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ca.pursuitpathways.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2892","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ca.pursuitpathways.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ca.pursuitpathways.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ca.pursuitpathways.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ca.pursuitpathways.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2892"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/ca.pursuitpathways.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2892\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3679,"href":"https:\/\/ca.pursuitpathways.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2892\/revisions\/3679"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ca.pursuitpathways.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2892"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}